SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (January 13, 2022)—A subgroup of the Breast Pump Policy Coalition has engaged lobbyists in Illinois to assist with repealing the sales tax for breast pumps. State Sen. Barbara Hernandez introduced H.B. 4234 which would allow breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, and breast pump kits to be exempt from the taxes imposed beginning on July 1, 2022.

DENVER (January 12, 2022)—OnTerra Systems, the developers of RouteSavvy route planning software for small businesses, announced significant RouteSavvy software enhancements. The new version of RouteSavvy provides more features and functions for delivery management and makes RouteSavvy route planning software even faster and easier to use.

Highlights of January 2022 RouteSavvy software enhancements include the following:


RICHMOND, Va. & INDIANAPOLIS (January 10, 2022)—Owens & Minor, Inc. and Apria, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Owens & Minor will acquire Apria for $37.50 in cash per share of common stock, representing an equity value of approximately $1.45 billion.


WASHINGTON D.C. (January 5, 2022)—Stakeholders representing health care providers and end users with medical needs developed a white paper to educate payers and state Medicaid programs on the types of intermittent catheter products and services needed to successfully manage an individual’s urinary retention needs in a home-based setting to improve patient experience, health outcomes and reduce overall cost. 
 

BOULDER, Colo. (January 5, 2022)—Quality Biomedical, a national provider of respiratory equipment management solutions has promoted Bianca Neri to vice president, sales.

“Bianca has been with our company for over five years and has exhibited a high-level of customer dedication, professionalism and leadership. She is a natural to step into [this] position,” said Jim Worrell, chief commercial officer of Quality Biomedical.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (January 4, 2022)—Clear Arch Health, a division of MobileHelp and a provider of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) solutions, announced the company acquired Life Care Solutions (LCS), a division of Resideo. Life Care Solutions has been a global leader in the remote patient monitoring industry for two decades, with a complete RPM solution to help streamline care coordination and improve outcomes.


WATERLOO, Iowa (December 16, 2021)—In a virtual ceremony, Katie Stevens was named 2021 Home Medical Equipment (HME) Woman of the Year. Stevens is chief executive officer (CEO) of Reliable Medical Supply, headquartered in Minneapolis. She has more than 15 years of experience in health care and has demonstrated expertise in business development and health care operations throughout her career. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has briefly reopened the window for health care providers to submit Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 1 reporting through Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 (11:59pm ET). Full text of the announcement was posted on the PRF reporting portal with no announcement/notice on the PRF homepage. The update reads in full: