WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 120 HME stakeholders met with members of Congress and staff last week to raise the profile on policy priorities including Medicare reimbursement, proposed changes to NIV coverage, patient access to upgraded wheelchairs, Medicare Advantage, and proposed tariffs.

The meetings come at a critical time for building support for H.R. 2005 and paving the way for Senate companion bill to reestablish the 75-25 blended reimbursement rates, as well as moving our House and Senate bills on carbon fiber/titanium wheelchair upgrades forward.

The meeting schedule included 55 meetings with members of committees of jurisdiction for healthcare finance issues (the House Energy & Commerce and Ways & Committees, along with the Senate Finance Committee). We also expect to schedule a dozen more meetings with offices that could not meet on Tuesday and have offered to meet virtually.

These face-to-face meetings underscore the urgency of the industry’s legislative priorities and help bolster the HME community’s credibility on Capitol Hill.

Reinforcing the Message
If you couldn’t make it to D.C. this year, you can still reinforce the legislative conference’s impact by contacting your legislators in support of current bills on Capitol Hill.

You can find details and messaging for crafting a personal email to your Representatives on establishing 75-25 blended rates (H.R. 2005) HME Medicare Reimbursement Central resource. For current carbon fiber/titanium wheelchair update bills, you can find resources to help you email your Representative and Senators on the CRT Advocacy page.

Issue briefs and supporting materials for the full range of major issues prepared for our Capitol Hill meetings can be found here. Persistent, passionate, and informed advocacy is what it takes to win on Capitol Hill – and we need it from every corner of the HME community.