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Industry champions ‘ready to fight again’ 

Industry champions ‘ready to fight again’  Short & long-term goals at play for reimbursement relief 

Tom RyanWASHINGTON – With the new Congress already sworn in and at work, HME stakeholders are looking for a quick re-introduction of legislation that would extend Medicare’s 75/25 blended rates in certain areas, says AAHomecare. 

Despite intense lobbying, H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 failed to make it into an end-of-year spending package during the previous Congress. Introduced in 2023, the bills that would have extended the blended rates for an additional year in non-competitive bidding, non-rural areas. 

“Everyone I’ve talked to on the Hill was very disappointed,” said Jay Witter, senior vice president of public policy for AAHomecare. “We met with the staff of our champion, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and they’re ready to fight again for our relief.” 

AAHomecare is eyeing a March health care package as a potential vehicle for the 75/25 legislation. 

The association is also looking at getting permanent relief via the rulemaking process. 

“I think we have an opportunity with this administration and being able to work with both HHS and the CMS administrator,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “Our political contacts believe they can get us a meeting at CMS at the high level and we’re going to lay out our argument to why they should go to rulemaking and make this permanent.” 

Other priorities for AAHomecare this year include working on the Hill to increase oversight of Medicare Advantage, and, at the state level, introducing legislation related to Medicaid rates and CGMs. Ryan also sees an opportunity for the industry to remind the administration – and anyone else potentially involved in decision-making – that HME is an important part of the health care sector. 

“You can only provide better outcomes and better care with a robust HME industry,” he said. “Continually chipping away (is not going to cut it). I hope to have discussions as high as the D.O.G.E. group about how home care could leverage technology as a tool for abuse, so let’s partner together.” 

AAHomecare has begun meeting with new members of Congress to introduce them to HME and will coordinate grassroots efforts with state leaders on reaching new members and new committee members. 

“I’m very optimistic with the new changes in Congress,” Ryan said. “Be proud of what you do, tell your story and let’s get some things done this year. This is the 119th Congress, let’s put a star next to it.” 

  • Related: Tom Ryan & Jay Witter joined the HME News in 10 podcast to talk about their strategy for 2025. Listen here. 

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