Reps. Thompson, Braley try to put brakes on bid expansion
By HME News Staff
Updated Fri March 21, 2014
WASHINGTON - Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, are spearheading a congressional sign-on letter urging CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner not to expand competitive bidding until the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed its investigation into the program, according to AAHomecare. “It's no secret that policymakers on both sides of the aisle see the controversial national bidding program as an unacceptable burden on the elderly and disabled,” stated Tom Ryan, president and CEO of the association, in a release. “AAHomecare thanks Reps. Thompson and Braley for urging CMS to work with Congress in a way that will best serve Medicare beneficiaries.” The VGM Group also applauded Thompson and Braley. It says it has heard from more than 3,000 Medicare beneficiaries and more than 400 providers about delays, increased costs and the difficulty receiving/providing supplies under the program. “The evidence is there that this program doesn't work, and we're grateful to the congressmen for their action,” stated John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for VGM.
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