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05/31/2017

Call to Action on URGENT Industry Initiatives: HME Sign-On Letter and CRT Legislation

Industry Support Sought for Congressional Sign-on Letter on HME Policy Priorities  - Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash) released a Congressional sign-on letter to HHS Secretary Tom Price and CMS Administrator Seema Verma today asking them to use their authority to make significant changes to HME policy. We need members to contact their Representative immediately to ask that they add their name

The letter, which can be seen here, asks for reforms in four key areas that echo input from AAHomecare, OAMES and other stakeholders to HHS and CMS.

Our champions on Capitol Hill have asked for concerted industry support for grassroots efforts to get signatures on the letter; we believe that affirming Congressional interest/pressure on these issues will help provide impetus for regulatory action. If we're able to help deliver a strong showing of 150+ signatures on this letter, it will make a powerful impression on HHS and CMS as they consider recent input on these issues from AAHomecare and other HME stakeholders.

Please contact your Representatives in the House and ask that they sign onto the letter. You can call or send an email if you have contacts in your House Member’s office; you can also send a pre-written note via the AAHomecare Action Center here or contact Kam Yuricich in the OAMES office and she will assist you. We will also be asking members of Congress to sign on during next week’s Washington Legislative Conference.
 
Please note: this sign-on letter is for members of the House of Representatives; you should not contact Senate offices about this letter. Other original signers on the letter include Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Larry Bucson (R-Ind.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). 

Action Needed NOW to Stop Medicare Cuts to Complex Rehab Technology - Significant Medicare payment reductions to wheelchair accessories will hit complex rehab technology (CRT) providers on July 1 unless we can get Congress to act before then.  Are you and your organization doing all that's needed to stop the cuts?  A temporary six month delay was passed in late 2016 but this delay expires at the end of June and we need legislative action now.

There are companion bills in Congress, HR 1361 and S 486, with strong bipartisan support that will prevent these funding cuts and thereby protect access for the people who rely on this specialized equipment. 

There is widespread support for this legislation from those who depend on it most. This includes the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, a coalition of more than 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. Members include National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), United Spinal Association, Easter Seals, Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation, and many others. 

Ohio’s Congressional delegation is leading the way on this very important issue but we need all Members on board. Senator Rob Portman was the original sponsor of the Senate bill, and Senator Sherrod Brown has co-sponsored the bill as well.  On the House side, many of Ohio’s representatives have also signed on as co-sponsors including Representatives Joyce, Gibbs, Johnson, Beatty, Kaptur, Latta, Renacci, Ryan, and Tiberi. The message to them is to thank them for their support and encourage them to urge House leadership to make passage a priority.

Make your voice heard! Click here for an Issue Brief and visit the NCART website here to email/contact your elected officials. You will also find additional information about the legislation including position paper, videos, list of current sponsors, and more.  If you have any questions, please contact Kam Yuricich in the OAMES office. 

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