WATERLOO, Iowa--To draw attention to the home oxygen bills in Congress, VGM Group will sponsor Enough is Enough: Shut Down the Switchboard Day on Nov. 14.
The goal is to get 50,000 people to call the U.S. Capitol switchboard on that day to urge members of Congress to cosponsor the Tanner-Hobson bill and the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act.
The Tanner-Hobson bill--H.R. 1845 in the House and S. 1428 in the Senate--would amend the competitive bidding program to allow all qualified providers who bid to continue doing business with Medicare at the bid rates that are set, even if they don't win contracts. The Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act--H.R. 621 in the House and S. 1484 in the Senate--would repeal the Deficit Reduction Act's 36-month rental cap on home oxygen and restore ownership of equipment to providers.
The passage of these bills would ensure that Medicare beneficiaries get the care that they deserve, the Iowa-based buying group said. Callers are also encouraged to tell Congress that further cuts to oxygen and power mobility should not be included in any upcoming Medicare reform.
"It is time to speak up and to raise awareness of the home medical equipment industry," reads a press release on the VGM Web site. "Enough is enough. Medicare beneficiaries should not have to be burdened with additional cuts, and deserve the right to be able to choose their own local, small-business provider."
At latest count, H.R. 1845 had 134 cosponsors and S. 1428 had 13; H.R. 621 had 126 and S. 1484 had seven. At least 217 cosponsors are needed for both House bills, and 36 are needed for both Senate bills, according to VGM.
"We've got to get motivated," John Gallagher, VGM vice president of government relations, implored providers at Medtrade last month. "This is our Stalingrad, our last stand.
"You have to go back to your employees, go back to your family members, go back to the beneficiaries and ring the phones off the hook so that members of Congress say 'No, I'm not going to support [competitive bidding] or any cuts to oxygen or power wheelchairs.' If we don't do anything in 2007, then in 2008 it's the next 70," Gallagher said, referring to the next round of cities where competitive bidding will roll out.
During the call-in on Nov. 14--chosen in honor of World COPD Day--an interactive component will be featured on VGM's home page. To assist callers, members of Congress will be listed by state, and a live commentary will be provided to keep participants fully informed of the day's activities.
To help providers rally support from beneficiaries and the
public, a sample press release is available at
www.vgm.com. Additional talking points about the bills can be
found at
www.lastchanceforpatients.org.