NASHVILLE, July 24, 2012—The Association for Tennessee Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment Services (ATHOMES) announced it will bestow the 2012 Champion for Homecare Award on Aug. 16 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. The award will be presented during the first annual ATHOMES convention, and it recognizes a community leader who has advocated for homecare issues, beneficiaries and HME providers in Tennessee. Blackburn will address the convention during the awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Nashville. She has pushed for recognition of home medical equipment as a key component in lowering Medicare costs by reducing hospital stays and emergency room visits. Blackburn also recognizes the need to reform Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program. For more information please contact James Herren at 615-714-6707.