WASHINGTON, DC – Resources and one-on-one assistance are available to help you make the case for sustainable Medicare reimbursements. Your representatives in the House are waiting to hear from you. AAHomecare has been in contact with multiple Congressional offices since H.R. 6641 was introduced on Feb. 8. While legislators and staff are familiar with the challenges the HME community is facing, many report not hearing directly from suppliers and other stakeholders with a co-sponsor ask.

We are asking every AAHomecare member to make a direct contact (and follow-up, if needed) with a specific request that their Representative in the House co-sponsor H.R. 6641 over the next two weeks. You can see the current co-sponsor list here.

An email to your Representative’s healthcare staffer is the most important first step in connecting and making an impression. You can find concise advice on emailing healthcare staffers at our Medicare Reimbursement Legislation Campaign Central.

Make a Face-to-Face Request for More Impact
A phone call or meeting using zoom or another video call service – or meeting in person – is the most effective way to make a strong impression on your legislators and staff.  In a brief call or videoconference, you can contrast the disconnect between Medicare rates against the costs and operational requirements you are facing – and how that disconnect impacts your business and the patients you serve.

It may take multiple emails or calls to get something set up with your Representative or his/her healthcare staffer, but the impression you’ll make is worth the effort.  You can also request an in-person meeting with your Representative when they are back in home districts during the next recess period (Apr. 11-22).

Top Targets: Reps. on October Sign-On Letter and Key Committees
Was your Representative one of 95 Members who joined the October 2021 House sign-on letter encouraging CMS to work with HME stakeholders to address Medicare payment rates?  Remind them in your email or call. Is your Rep. on one of the committees of jurisdiction for Medicare issues?  Engaging on these committees is especially important to help move the legislation forward: Energy & Commerce Committee – Ways & Means Committee

We’re Here to Help!
AAHomecare staff can provide whatever support you need to make your contacts.  We are happy to:

• Provide healthcare staffer contact info and help craft your email.
• Help you request/host a meeting by Zoom/video conference – and join you on the call, if needed.
• Discuss the issue and help you make your strongest impression.
• Request an in-District meeting.

Contact Gordon Barnes at [email protected] for assistance with any aspect of engaging your legislators. Our challenge is significant; passing legislation with a sizable budgetary impact will require a sustained and powerful advocacy effort.  We need everyone on board to move H.R. 6641 forward.

See our Medicare Reimbursement Legislation Campaign Central for more information.