Small Business Committee Prepares Letter for HHS Secretary

ROSEVILLE, Iowa (May 25, 2017)—In an effort spearheaded by Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) and its president, Patrick Naeger, independent HME suppliers have gained the attention of the House Small Business Committee. Much like the concerns prompting a letter being circulated by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and others, the Small Business Committee is gravely concerned by the 38 percent reduction in providers in such a short period.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), who authored the letter, says, “These small businesses and their owners serve the individuals in our communities, and often times they have known their clients for years. However, the policies of the previous administration have put durable medical equipment stores in jeopardy with poor regulations and steep cuts.”

Vice President of VGM Government Relations, John Gallagher, said, “Thanks to a highly engaged grassroots coalition, Congress is making it clear that these CMS policies are not helping small businesses in America. It is increasingly difficult for small businesses to sustain these deep reimbursement cuts while managing to navigate through the endless red tape of doing business.”

“I am grateful to my friend, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, for recognizing the destruction small businesses like mine and thousands of others across the country are facing as a result of Medicare competitive bidding rural fee schedule cuts,” said Naeger, executive vice president of Healthcare Equipment & Supply in Perryville, Missouri. “Because DMEPOS providers are mostly small businesses, it is imperative to have the support of those in Congress who fight for small business. I appreciate Congressman Luetkemeyer, his staff, and other members of the Small Business Committee for their support.”

After this letter is circulated to the Small Business Committee, it will be passed on to HHS Secretary Tom Price and CMS Administrator Seema Verma.

VGM is requesting that any providers that have an elected representative on the Small Business committee, to reach out and ask them to support this letter.

View the full letter here.