PRINCETON, New Jersey—Nearly half of the states in the U.S. (48%) are on the brink of an unpaid family caregiving emergency, according to findings released from a new study conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, sponsored by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Otsuka). The study shows unpaid family caregiving is either “critical” or at “high risk” in 24 states.
WASHINGTON—ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, voiced its strong support for the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act. This legislation would establish a benefit category for prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) under Medicare and Medicaid.
ITHACA, New York—The School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR School) and Weill Cornell Medicine School of Cornell University have received a $300,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to administer a worker-focused survey of home health aides. It will allow for a comparison of homecare work in different institutional contexts, including the prevalence of labor unions in the north and limited collective representation in the south.
WASHINGTON—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) launched a new video campaign highlighting the impact of home medical equipment (HME) through the story of Brandon, a young professional and quadriplegic whose "journey is a testament to the freedom, independence and purpose that HME makes possible," AAHomecare said.
Arlington, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has launched a new video campaign highlighting the profound impact of home medical equipment (HME) through the story of Brandon, a young professional and quadriplegic whose journey is a testament to the freedom, independence and purpose that HME makes possible.
The United Spinal Association launched an Advocacy Impact Fund to support disability rights. The Association called the fund "a bold initiative to empower and amplify the voices of people with disabilities and fight back against these harmful policies."
ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has released a new report showcasing a year of strategic advocacy, innovative tools and community-driven progress.
WASHINGTON—Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have introduced legislation that aims to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent newsletter to members.
WASHINGTON—The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance) appointed Scott Levy as its inaugural chief government affairs officer. With more than 20 years of experience in government relations, public policy, advocacy and law, Levy aims to lead The Alliance’s legislative and regulatory changes and expand access to quality homecare.
WASHINGTON—A group of U.S. senators have written a letter expressing concern about “deep financial ties” the potential head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Centers (CMS), Mehmet Oz, has with Medicare Advantage. The letter was written by multiple democratic senators, including Sen.
WASHINGTON—The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, a patient and disability advocacy group, has sent a letter to Congress urging Congressional leadership to include the 75-25 blended relief rate in its year-end legislative package, the American Associaton for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent e-newsletter to members.
WASHINGTON—AAHomecare’s lobbying team and other home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders remain engaged in advocating for including extended 75/25 blended-rate relief among health care provisions in government spending packages needed in advance of March 1 and March 8 funding deadlines. HHS funding is subject to the March 8 deadline.
MOORESTOWN, New Jersey—David Baiada, CEO of BAYADA Home Health Care, has been elected to lead the board of directors of The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH). Baiada is assuming this role after serving as treasurer. BAYADA is a founding member of the partnership and an advocate for home health and home care patient populations.
WASHINGTON—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for active Medicare reimbursement legislation as Congress enters final legislative weeks of the year. The Virtual Hill Day, set for Nov. 13, will reinforce the virtual advocacy effort from just a few weeks ago with a focus on reaching targeted members on committees of jurisdiction for federal healthcare finance issues.
ST. LOUIS (October 25, 2022)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) announced a new strategic initiative today at its annual conference.
Unveiled as NAHC 2.75, the new initiative builds on the goals of NAHC 2.0, which launched in 2018 with the goal of improving the membership experiences and advocacy of the organization.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 22, 2022)—Home medical equipment (HME) industry leaders shared their passion for high-quality care and detailed the challenges they are facing in the current reimbursement and business environment for more than 240 House and Senate offices in the Virtual Washington Legislative Conference. Thanks to the higher number of attendees, advocates were able to reach almost 10% more offices than last year, the American Association for Homecare reported.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 30, 2022)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comments on various aspects of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is submitting comments for the request for information, due on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The association is asking industry stakeholders to add their comments to ensure better oversight of these plans and maintain strong access for home medical equipment (HME) suppliers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 30, 2022)—The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 required the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement various hospice survey reforms. In the CY 2022 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) final rule, CMS addressed these reforms, including development of a hospice special focus program (SFP).
ARLINGTON, Va. (August 11, 2022)—In October, AAHomecare will host the first meeting of its newly formed Diabetes Council in Arlington, Virginia for key leaders in the diabetes market. The board of directors voted in July to establish this new council to meet the needs of member providers in this space.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 28, 2022)—Bringing together home medical equipment (HME) leaders from around the nation, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) Virtual Washington Legislative Conference offers providers and manufacturers an opportunity to advocate for HME policy priorities with members of Congress and staffers through Zoom-enabled meetings.
