Group hires new leader
By HME News Staff
Updated Fri August 31, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky Medical Equipment Suppliers Association (KMESA) lost its long-time executive director, Tom Underwood, this spring but hired a replacement with loads of HME experience.
Judy Bunn, who also serves as executive director of the Association of Indiana Home Medical Equipment Services, replaced Underwood in July.
"There were a number of local applicants with association management experience, but no industry experience," said KMESA board member Alan Grogan. "But given the nature of the issues we deal with, we thought it would be easier to shore up what we don't have locally than what industry knowledge someone might not have."
Four years ago, only one HME provider represented Kentucky at AAHomecare's annual Legislative Conference. Last year, five attended, and this year nine attended, including one Medicare beneficiary. Grant money that helped Kentucky HMEs defray travel costs boosted attendance the past two years, said KMESA President Wayne Knewasser.
"We had a lot of good things to talk about," during meetings with local legislators, Knewasser said.
Those good things included industry bills to end Medicare's in-the-home restriction and rollback the 36-month cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement.
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