WASHINGTON, DC – Twenty-six national consumer advocacy associations joined under the ITEM Coalition collective letter to Congress, urging Members to sign-on and support the House-wide Congressional letter asking HHS Secretary Price and CMS Administrator Verma to use their regulatory authority to make changes to protect the HME benefit.
“Over the past several years, CMS has made significant policy and regulatory changes to the Medicare DME benefit,” the letter states. “Many of these changes have been intended to save taxpayer money; however, they have had a substantial negative impact on beneficiary access to vital devices and services that improve health and function.”
AAHomecare applauds these consumer organizations for ongoing efforts to protect their patient populations and fight to preserve access to critical equipment, supplies, and services needed to safely maintain independence at home. Joining the front lines of HME stakeholders working toward relief, consumer groups bring a critical and often overlooked patient voice to The Hill and help show that this isn’t a payment issue—this is a people issue.
From patient groups to providers, from small suppliers to international corporations, the universal message to Congress and the Administration is clear: Immediate action is needed to protect and preserve access to HME.
The Industry is encouraged to share the ITEM Coalition letter of support when petitioning Members of Congress to sign the Congressional sign-on letter.
Consumer Organizations Signing in Support
Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals
ACCSES
American Association on Health and Disability
American Cochlear Implant Alliance
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Amputee Coalition
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
Brain Injury Association of America
Clinician Task Force
Institute for Matching Person & Technology, Inc
Lakeshore Foundation
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics
National Council on Independent Living
National Disability Rights Network
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Spina Bifida Association
The Myositis Association
The Simon Foundation for Continence
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis
United Cerebral Palsy
United Spinal Association
For more information about AAHomecare’s engagement with consumer groups and the Stand Up for Homecare efforts, contact Ashley Plauché, AAHomecare’s Manager of Government Affairs ([email protected]).
AAHomecare Elects New Leadership
WASHINGTON, DC – At the Association’s annual membership meeting at this year’s Washington Legislative Conference, AAHomecare elected new leadership, installing Steve Ackerman (CEO, Spectrum Medical, Inc. – Silver Spring, Md.) as chairman of the Board. Other officers elected include:
• Vice Chairman: Bill Guidetti (executive vice president, East Zone, Apria Healthcare – Red Bank, N.J.)
• Treasurer: Jeff Hall (president & CEO, Reliable Medical Supply – Brooklyn Park, Minn.)
Laura McIlvaine (board member, Shield Healthcare Centers, Inc. – Valencia, CA) was also elected to join the board, and Doug Coleman (CEO, Rocky Mountain Medical Equipment, Major Medical Supply & UCH Home Medical Supply – Colorado Springs, Colo.) joins the board and executive committee through his role as chairman of the State Leaders Council.
“These leaders bring a wealth of experience and passion for HME to their roles guiding AAHomecare and our industry,” said Tom Ryan, president & CEO of AAHomecare. “We’re so fortunate to have individuals of this caliber to help make important decisions and build industry consensus on public policy challenges we’ll be facing in the coming months and years. It’s a testament to the important mission and effectiveness of AAHomecare that such talented individuals are willing to lend their time and expertise for the benefit of HME providers, manufacturers, and patients nationwide.”
