10/15/2021

HME Advocates Garner 95 Signatures on Congressional Sign-On Letter to CMS and HHS

As reported earlier this week in AAHomecare's alert, 95 members of the House of Representatives joined a sign-on letter asking CMS and HHS leaders to release the DME Rule, extend 50/50 blended rates for rural areas, and address out-of-date Medicare reimbursement rates in effect in former CB areas.

The letter sends a strong message to CMS and HHS, and also helps set the stage for potential legislative efforts to address these issues if the Agencies don’t take meaningful action.

Please thank your legislators – by email and/or on social media – for signing on.  A complete list of signees by state can be found here.  Contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for healthcare staff contact info for your legislators. 

Thank you to OAMES provider and associate members who participated in AAHomecare's virtual Washington Legislative Conference on Sept. 29 and lead efforts to secure the following signers from the Ohio Congressional delegation:  Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and Rep. Brad Wenstrup. 

Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) deserve special recognition for spearheading the letter and their continuing commitment to protecting patient access to high-quality, home-based care. You can thank them publicly on Twitter at @cathymcmorris and @RepPaulTonko.  You can look up other Congressional Twitter handles here.