BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—Michael Hamilton, a longtime advocate in the homecare sector and the recently retired executive director of the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association (ADMEA), has died.
Hamilton served the home medical equipment (HME) industry for more than 50 years before he died on November 23, 2025, ADMEA said in a statement. He officially retired from his leadership role October 31.
"He is an icon of the industry and will be greatly missed," the association wrote.
Hamilton was six years old when his father entered the home medical equipment industry. In 1963, he and his father incorporated Hamilton Oxygen Service, and his father retired 11 years later. Soon after, he and a small group of state providers stepped up to lobby for Congressional changes in Medicare contracting, leading to the formation of ADMEA. He served as president, then secretary/treasurer, and took on the role of executive director when it became a full-time position.
He stepped down in October, saying it was time to turn management over to the next generation.
Earlier this year,the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) honored Hamilton with the 2025 Mal Mixon Legislative Advocate Award, which honors members who have significantly advanced the community's legislative goals and inspired others by example to join the fight for better federal policy for the industry. AAHomecare President Tom Ryan presented the award to Mike at a dinner on Capitol Hill during his fiftieth fly-in to Washington, which AAHomecare called "a truly remarkable milestone that underscrores his lifelong commitment to advocacy."
Alogn with leading ADMEA, Hamilton served on the board of directors of NAMES, participated in HIDA and AAHomecare and worked on the DME MAC Region C Council and AAHomecare's State Leaders Council. He was especially praised for his leadership in enacting state licensure for HME suppliers in Alabama and for securing critical sales and rental tax relief in the state, improving business conditions and strengthening standards for quality care.
Hamilton was also a longtime member of HomeCare's Editorial Advisory Board. Outside of his work on the industry's behalf, he loved music and sang in the choir at his church, Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, and could be found at any concert by the music department at Samford University. He is survices by his children Michele (Bill) Baker and Kevin (Christy) Hamilton, as well as his sister and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.