WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2013—Comment from AAHomecare President Tyler Wilson: “AAHomecare’s work on behalf of the home medical equipment community involves lobbying as well as regulatory advocacy and problem solving. The organization’s lobbying occurs primarily on Capitol Hill when we contact House and Senate lawmakers to discuss Medicare issues that affect DME.
“No less important than the Capitol Hill lobbying is the Association’s wide-ranging effort to inform CMS about the impact of the agency’s actions on the home medical equipment industry. As homecare providers grapple with audits, the face-to-face exam rule, and numerous other regulatory burdens, AAHomecare is constantly pushing back against new CMS initiatives, and, along the way, solving individual company problems through contacts at the agency and its contractors.
“Since 2006, Walt Gorski, AAHomecare’s vice president of government affairs, has been the Association’s lead advocate in our ongoing battles with CMS. It has not been an easy six years. There have been many CMS officials able to launch new rules and regulations aimed at homecare providers. During this time, the association has had numerous successes—often defined as getting proposed regulation modified or achieving a delay in new regulation, or merely forcing CMS to provide more clarity in an upcoming rule.
“While the successes may at times appear incremental, they are also cumulative. Every six-month delay in new regulation (e.g., the face-to-face exam requirements), every modification in a demonstration project (e.g., prior authorization for power mobility), every reprieve, even if temporary, from a CMS program (e.g., Jurisdiction A hiatus in audits because of Hurricane Sandy) spells some relief for beleaguered providers. No doubt the battles continue, but the homecare community is better today because of the diligence and perseverance of Walt’s efforts at AAHomecare.
“Friday March 15 was Walt’s last day at the Association. He is moving on to tackle the same tough issues, but as private consultant. AAHomecare thanks him for his good work.
“Moving forward, the association will remain focused on the activities of CMS and will push at every opportunity to thwart or turn back the mounting burdens of doing business under Medicare.
“AAHomecare has a strong Regulatory Council composed of industry experts who volunteer and help guide the Association’s actions relating to CMS. We will continue to rely on the council, while replenishing the government affairs staff under the leadership of Vice President of Legislative Affairs Jay Witter.
“Finally, we will reinforce the association’s internal assets through our ongoing work with attorney Asela Cuervo who continues as one of the leading regulatory authorities defending homecare interests.
“There will be no relenting on the part of AAHomecare. The regulatory issues which have been Walt’s specialty are an essential part of what the association does and the organization will continue to protect and defend the interests of all home care companies.” Learn more at www.aahomecare.org.