10/24/2024

Congressional Sign-On Letter Offers Fresh Opportunity to Build Support for 75-25 Relief

Congressional representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) have released a sign-on letter to CMS and HHS on reestablishing the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for DME in non-rural/non-competitive bid areas for 2025.

The letter points out that CMS has taken action in the past to ensure access to DME, including applying the 50/50 blended rate for HME in rural areas on a permanent basis and also highlights the disconnect between DME Medicare rates and the rising costs suppliers face. The letter also cites recent AAHomecare survey data, including their recent 75-25 Impact Survey, in supporting footnotes.

Ask your Representative to join the letter: 

• Make contact with legislators' staff to build support - Please reach out to your Representative in the House and ask them to join the sign-on letter.  The most effective way to gain support is to connect with the staffer who handles healthcare issues in your Representative’s office, share the sign-on letter, and include perspective on how current reimbursement rates are impacting your company and the patients you serve. ** Note: Republican offices should contact Rep. Miller-Meeks’ office to sign on; Democratic offices should contact Rep. Tonko’s office to join the letter.
• Online messaging offers easy contact option – While a personally drafted email to your legislator’s healthcare staffer makes the strongest impact, you can also send a pre-drafted letter developed by AAHomecare to your Representative asking them to join the letter. Find the new letter here and be sure to share the link with your colleagues and contacts as well.

Passing 75-25 provisions remain industry priority:

• AAHomecare, VGM, OAMES and HME industry advocates nationwide are continuing to push 75-25 provisions through the end of the year. The new sign-on letter is an opportunity for the HME community to raise awareness and buzz on Capitol Hill for the need to provide this relief, and to convey Congressional support to CMS. The letter does not represent any shift away from stakeholders’ efforts to include provisions from HR 5555 and S.1294 in end-of-year legislation.  We’ll continue lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and media work in support of securing this relief before the end of the 118th Congress and we need YOUR voice to carry this home!

• Continue advocacy through the fall – Do your part locally! Legislators will be home most of the remaining of October up until Election Day, November 5. This is a great opportunity to meet your legislators in person!  Invite them to your office for a tour or visit with staff and customers, request an in-person meeting at their office, or attend a public event like a community festival and speak to them about the issues.  This “home” connection in the Congressional district is critical to making a difference with those representing you in Washington.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your legislative contacts or messaging on the issues, feel free to contact Heidi Moss at OAMES or Gordon Barnes at the American Association for Homecare.