Hope on the Hill: ‘We know our strategy’ 

WASHINGTON – The recent Washington Legislative Conference was the perfect opportunity to put a spotlight on the need for reimbursement relief with potential co-sponsors of a Senate companion bill to H.R. 2005, AAHomecare officials say. 

With the industry’s signature bill not included in a budget reconciliation bill in the House of Representatives as originally hoped, stakeholders have been in close discussions with potential co-sponsors for a Senate companion bill and are optimistic it will be introduced soon. 

“It’s really hard to cut through the noise, but we have really solid policy issues and, you know, Congress is hearing a lot about problems,” said Jay Witter, senior vice president of government relations for AAHomecare. “We’re going up there with solutions, too, so I think it was a great reception to that.” 

The event, which took place May 13, drew more than 120 attendees from 41 states who met with 225 offices to discuss reimbursement relief, as well as proposed changes to NIV coverage, patient access to upgraded wheelchairs, Medicare Advantage and proposed tariffs. 

Stakeholders were making their case against a backdrop of budget negotiations and other distractions. 

“It was an interesting, challenging day to get attention, but we did have some very good meetings, and I think we know our strategy,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “People were energized and now they’re in follow-up mode.” 

The fly-in also included a fundraising breakfast for Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who told attendees that he understood home care was cost effective and patient-preferred, AAHomecare says. 

This year’s conference was the first held in-person since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it brought a wave of fresh faces to Washington, D.C., something Ryan welcomed. 

“It’s a new generation,” he said. “I see them as a great group of future leaders as we move forward.” 

• Related: Mike Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association, received the 2025 Mal Mixon Legislative Advocate Award during the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference.