WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress recently passed a stripped-down, short-term funding measure without significant healthcare extenders, including our provisions to continue the 75/25 blended rate for Medicare reimbursement in non-rural areas. Seeing this relief waylaid as Congressional negotiators failed to reach an agreement – and instead passing a second short term agreement – is a disappointing result for all of us.
We can’t let our disappointment lead to discouragement. HME advocates have done an exceptional job in getting the 75/25 relief this close to passage, and we remain in a good position to be part of the next funding package that needs to be passed by early March. However, “good position” doesn’t translate to “will be included” – so there’s still work to be done.
Our message to legislators in both the Senate and House remains clear: Extending the 75/25 blended rate for durable medical equipment in non-rural areas through 2024 is critically important. Please ask your leadership to make sure this is included in the next government funding package.
If you took part in our virtual legislative fly-ins in September and/or November, please commit to following up with healthcare staff you met with by next week. The message can be quick and simple – we just need you to reach out reiterating the need for including 75/25 DME relief in the March funding package and how the current rates are impacting you. And if you haven’t yet reached out to your legislators, see our guidance and resources for sending your message here.
Keeping the Volume Up
The HME community is not alone in groups that expected to have major policy priorities addressed in funding legislation in January. Physicians sought relief from Medicare reimbursement cuts that went into effect on January 1, and other provisions to increase funding for substance abuse, bonus payments for clinicians participating in Advanced Alternative Payment Models, and support for patients in low-income programs were also among healthcare measures that were delayed.
The good news is that other healthcare stakeholders are joining us in advocating for a longer-term funding bill that includes healthcare extenders by March 1. But the corresponding challenge is that we need to make sure our provisions remain top-of-mind among these measures, as well as the hundreds of others being pushed by business and interest groups in other sectors. So it’s essential that advocates touch base with their legislators again in the coming weeks to help us stay in the picture.
Looking Ahead: Broader Relief Needed
Even as we work to bring home the 75/25 relief through 2024, AAHomecare remains committed to securing sustainable, market-based Medicare rates for suppliers in all areas. Last week, our Executive Committee reaffirmed that advocating for a meaningful boost to rates in former CBAs will be a legislative priority for 2024, along with a further extension relief in non-rural areas.
The current delay in wrapping up the government funding bill also underscores the need to find a longer-term solution on HME Medicare reimbursement that isn’t subject to year-end legislative delays or CMS decisions to reject bidding results at their sole discretion. That will be a challenge that will require us to significantly level-up our advocacy capabilities and make sure that policymakers truly understand the value of HME. Our past success in influencing reimbursement rates gives me confidence we can get there, and I look forward to continuing to work with the passionate HME advocates who have boosted our industry’s credibility and effectiveness on Capitol Hill.
Congressional Departures Include HME Advocates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Resignations, retirements, and other departures from Capitol Hill will make for a very different Congress when the 119th session convenes in January 2025. In addition to nine lawmakers who have already departed over the course of 2024, 29 members of Congress have announced plans to retire at the end of the session, and 16 more are seeking a different office.
The turnover on the influential House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee is especially significant, with Vice Chair Larry Bucshon (R-IN) and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) departing, along with Reps. Micheal Burgess (R-TX), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Greg Pence (R-IN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and John Sarbanes (D-MD) moving on. In addition, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Finance Health Subcommittee retiring at the end of 2024.
Many of these legislators have been supportive of HME policy priorities, and Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Bucshon have been especially influential in their roles. Developing strong relationships with new additions to the House Energy & Commerce and Senate Finance Committees (at least 14 new members at this point) will be a priority – and also present an opportunity – when the new Congress takes shape in 2025. See the current list of departures here.