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      HME remains a target under healthcare reform

      WASHINGTON - The call for change was a key component of the recent elections, but parts of a universal healthcare plan issued last week sounded like the same old song to industry stakeholders.

      In his "Call to Action," Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., advocates shifting "the focus from institutional care to services provided in the home and community" as a way to control costs and improve quality of care. But in the next breath, he hails national competitive bidding as a means to save money and reduce fraud and abuse.

      "I think this shows that we need to continue to work with members of Congress to show them the value of home care," said Walt Gorski, vice president of government relations. "I think we will see many proposals ushering in a new era of trying to achieve healthcare reform and Baucus is just first out of the box."

      Baucus' plan calls for creating a nationwide insurance pool; developing a Medicare buy-in plan; ensuring coverage of preventive care; and expanding Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

      Additionally, Baucus' plan calls for stepping up efforts to reduce fraud and abuse, as well as wasteful spending. As an example, he pointed to the cost of an oxygen concentrator ($600) compared to what he called "excessive (rental) fees" ($7,215 in 2006).

      "They keep going back to the concentrator," said John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for the VGM Group. "We've got to begin the discussion where everything we do is 'service, service, service,' not 'product, product, product.'"

      It's not too soon to start lobbying lawmakers, but don't expect anything to happen right away--either in this session or the next, says Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare. With other lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., expected to put forth their own healthcare proposals, it's a lot of "jockeying around" at this point, she says.

      "Health care is a major agenda item, but the discussion is going to take place over the course of 2009," she said. "With the economy (in a slump), it will be that much more difficult for them to find the money they need."

      For the past couple of years, the key driver for cuts to Medicare, including HME, has been the need to avoid cuts to physicians. But Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., aims to make this year different, said Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products.

      "Stark said last week he is working to find a way to allow for a new system to be put in place in a budget-neutral manner," he said. "If he is able to do that, it takes the pressure off the House Ways and Means Committee to go after cuts in areas of the Medicare program."


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      CALENDAR

      February 2012
      AAHomecare's upcoming Washington Legislative Conference will include Council meetings, a half day program and a Thursday, Feb. 16 lobby day.

      ACHC will offer a workshop to help HME providers prepare for accreditation Feb. 21 in Georgetown, Ky.
      More information is available here.
      Register by Feb. 15.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Pathophysiology: Cerebral Vascular Accident/Stroke (CVA) and Co-Morbidities," led by Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Feb. 21.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Dynamic Seating," led by Delia Freney, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Feb. 23.
      FMI click here.


      March 2012
      Richmond, VA (Omni). More details to come. www.vadmec.org.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Pathophysiology: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Cerebral Palsy (CP)," led by Jill Sparacio, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, March 20.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Power Assist Wheels: Clinical Indicators and Documentation for Funding," led by Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, March 22.
      FMI click here.


      April 2012
      Medtrade Spring will be at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
      More information is available at http://www.medtrade.com/medtrade-spring/

      At the Hyatt Regency Hotel-Crystal City. More info to come. www.nrrts.org.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Pathophysiology: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)," led by Mary Shea, MA, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, April 17.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Home Accessibility: From the Front Door to the Upstairs Bath," led by Cynthia Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, April 19.
      FMI click here.


      May 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Pathophysiology: Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)," led by Michelle L. Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, May 22.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Positioning vs. Restraint: Appropriate Use and Justification of Secondary Seating Components," led by Michelle L. Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, May 24.
      FMI click here.


      June 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Power Wheelchairs: Using IR Transmission to Control Devices in the Environment," led by Jill Kolczynski, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, June 21.
      FMI click here.


      July 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Power Seating Functions: Clinical Indicators for Each," led by Stephanie Tanguay, OTR. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, July 17.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Access to fun! Recreation for all," led by Mary Carol Peterson, OTR. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, July 19.
      FMI click here.


      August 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Medical Interventions and Their Relationship to Assistive Technology Intervention: Tone Management, Surgeries and Orthotics," led by Pamela Wilson, MD. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Aug. 21.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Seating Considerations for Clients with High Tone," led by Sharon Pratt, PT. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Aug. 23.
      FMI click here.


      September 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Power Wheelchairs: Using the Access Method to Control the Computer Mouse," led by Mike Babinec, B.A., B.S., OTR/L, ABDA, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Sept. 18.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Advocacy for All! Consumer Driven Change," led by Ann Eubank, OTR, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Sept. 20.
      FMI click here.


      October 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Getting it right the first time: Measurements," led by Robert Lindholm, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Oct. 23.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Pathophysiology: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and Arthrogryposis," led by Michelle L. Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Oct. 25.
      FMI click here.


      November 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Wheelchairs and Transport," led by Mary Ellen Buning, PhD, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Nov. 13.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Funding: What’s New in the World of Reimbursement?" led by Liz Cole, PT. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Nov. 15.
      FMI click here.


      December 2012
      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Positioning: Clinical Considerations of Molded Seating," led by Jill Sparacio, OTR/L, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Eastern, Dec. 18.
      FMI click here.

      NRRTS to offer a webinar titled, "Assisted Ambulation: Gait Trainers, Walkers, Crutches and Canes - Clinical Indicators," led by TD Schenck, ATP. 5-7 p.m. Pacific, Dec. 20.
      FMI click here.

      ADVERTISER INDEX
      Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.
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      Comfort Company
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      Contour Products
      Definitive Homecare Solutions
      DMEtrain.com
      Dream Software Corp.
      Fastrack Healthcare Systems, Inc.
      GlobTek, Inc.
      Harmar Products
      HQAA
      IMC-Heartway, LLC
      Infopia Co., Ltd.
      Invacare Corporation
      medSage Technologies
      Merits Health Products
      MK Battery
      Nonin Medical
      Permobil
      Philips Respironics
      Pride Mobility Products Corp.
      QS/1 Data Systems
      Shoprider Mobility Products
      Sunrise Medical
      The Scooter Store
      VGM Group
      HME TV News - http://www.hmenews.com/video.php




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