WATERLOO, Iowa (June 5, 2014)—The 13th edition of the VGM Group, Inc.’s Heartland Conference invites attendees to “Define Your Future” during four days of education and networking in downtown Waterloo. Nearly 1,000 home medical equipment providers, vendors, speakers and industry friends are expected at the annual event, which opens today with pre-conference educational sessions and a golf tournament, followed by a hog roast and fireworks display. The keynote address Tuesday morning will be pre

WATERLOO, Iowa (May 23, 2014)—Advocacy group People for Quality Care (PFQC) launched Dear Medicare, a website that features stories of seniors and people with disabilities who are being negatively impacted by health care policies. “We understand that many Americans are unaware that seniors and people with disabilities are struggling to access their medical equipment and care,” said Kelly Turner, PFQC director of advocacy.

SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2014)—Umbian, Inc., a ResMed company, and provider of cloud-based health care compliance solutions, announced the outcome of a new study that shows significant, measurable efficiency gains when using the automated messaging capabilities of its U-Sleep compliance management solution. The study reveals a 59 percent reduction in labor associated with intervening and coaching patients on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy when using U-Sleep.

ELYRIA, Ohio & WATERLOO, Iowa (May 27, 2014)—On May 6, 2014, Invacare Corporation and VGM Group, Inc., signed a new multiyear agreement. “We are excited to continue one of the great partnerships in our industry,” said Mal Mixon, chairman of the board, Invacare Corporation.

LEBANON, Tenn. (May 28, 2014)—Permobil announced its acquisition of TiLite, a manufacturer of innovative and individually customized manual wheelchairs. Founded in 1998, TiLite has an innovative and user-focused range of active wheelchairs. The company designs and manufactures ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs in titanium or aluminum that can be customized to each user’s exact specification.

(May 29, 2014)—On May 28, 2014, New Jersey public television affiliate NJTV featured a story on how the bidding process is hurting local suppliers and patients. Click here to watch the story.

ATLANTA (May 29, 2014)—Brightree, a provider of cloud-based clinical, billing and business management software solutions for the post-acute care industry, announced that it has strengthened its electronic data exchange relationship with McKesson Medical-Surgical Minnesota Supply Inc. Brightree will now offer electronic purchasing transactions and initial program setup at no charge for Brightree customers through McKesson Direct, an electronic order interface for HME providers.

ATLANTA (May 29, 2014)—Exhibitors are quickly buying available booth space in advance of Medtrade, the nation’s premiere HME trade show, scheduled for Oct. 20-23, 2014, in Atlanta. “As of May 29, 2014, manufacturers have bought up 93 percent of the Medtrade booth space allotted at the Georgia World Congress Center,” says Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade.

(May 28, 2014)—Congressman Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), a former DME provider who lost his bid in the Round One Rebid, has become an incredible champion for the industry. Rep. Renacci has asked the industry to tell its story. Renacci wants to hear directly from suppliers about how the bidding and re-review process is hurting them. Click here to take a brief survey and AAHomecare will send the results directly to the Congressman.