Tag: Election
In brief: Bid delay push, VGM election guide, disability research grants
October 30, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Numerous organizations representing health care professionals and people who use diabetes, urological and ostomy supplies are putting their weight behind bills that would delay these product categories from being included in Medicare’s competitive bidding program for five years.
The two bills currently at play:
The Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services Act (DIABETES Act), S. 4037, was introduced by Sens. Jeanne...
VGM releases election guide to increase engagement
October 28, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM has released a guide to the upcoming mid-term elections to help home medical equipment (HME) providers better understand the policy landscape and identify opportunities for civic engagement.
“An informed HME community is a stronger HME community,” VGM states. “By understanding the issues, knowing where policymakers stand, and participating in the democratic process, HME suppliers can help ensure that the voices of providers and patients are heard. We...
Industry’s post-election mindset: ‘All we can do is be prepared’
November 15, 2024Theresa Flaherty
WASHINGTON – How the HME industry’s legislative efforts fare in a post-election Congress will depend a lot on whether president-elect Donald Trump and his supporters want to “clear the decks,” say industry stakeholders.
From meetings on Capitol Hill last week, Jay Witter says committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives are preparing for an end-of-year package but are waiting for a signal as to whether that gets done this year or kicked to next year.
“All...
Election coverage: Poll lays out hot button issues
August 23, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – At the top of the list of priorities for Medicare under a new administration are fair reimbursement, fraud prevention and streamlined documentation, say respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
“The top priority for Medicare is to implement fair, market-based reimbursement rates,” wrote Craig Rae of Penrod Medical Equipment in Salisbury, N.C. “DME providers are dealing with a harsh reality that either CMS doesn’t understand or doesn’t want...
Stakeholders size up Biden vs. Trump
September 18, 2020Theresa Flaherty
WASHINGTON - How will the November elections impact the HME industry?
There are a number of dynamics at play in the presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump and in the various races in the House of Representatives and Senate, says John Leppard, a health care analyst with Washington Analysis.
“At the top of the line: a Biden win-Democratic sweep is probably a net slightly positive in the near- to medium-term as it augurs greater stability,” he said. “He's...
HME champions win re-election
November 7, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A number of champions for the HME industry, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., have won their re-election bids in Congress.
McMorris-Rodgers, who bested her Democratic contender Lisa Brown, has led a number of efforts to provide relief from Medicare's competitive bidding program, including introducing H.R. 4229, which has 157 co-sponsors. She has also spearheaded a number of congressional sign-on letters to CMS requesting relief.
A number of champions for complex...
AAH releases scorecard
November 1, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has created a downloadable election scorecard that allows users to track lawmaker support for the HME industry. The spreadsheet also notes who is seeking re-lection, retiring or has resigned. Of the 67 legislators who are not running for re-election, 32 took at least one action to support the industry, like co-sponsoring legislation or adding their signatures to sign-on letters, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. The scorecard is available as an Excel spreadsheet or...
RESNA announces election results
June 21, 2018HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. - RESNA has named a president-elect and several board members. The organization has named Maureen Linden, MS, president-elect. She has served as a board member and board secretary, and has been chairwoman of the Student Design Competition. It has also named Meghan Donahue, MS, ATP, as board secretary. She has served as a board member and has been a member of its professional and special interest groups. Additionally, RESNA has named Carmen DiGiovine, PhD, ATP/SMS, RET; Rita Stanley...
One consultant's take: 'I've never seen people so positive'
December 16, 2016Liz Beaulieu, Editor
I was on the phone this week with a seasoned consultant who advises medical device companies on strategic plans and M&A. He said he's gearing up for a very busy 2017.
“Since the election, I've been working with a number of companies on strategic plans,” he told me. “I though it might take them half way into next year to make moves—that they wanted to see the 'proof in the pudding' of a more business-friendly administration—but people are making moves...
Trump, man of mystery
November 11, 2016Theresa Flaherty
WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders are looking ahead at what a Trump presidency could mean for HME.
“If it was anyone other than Donald Trump, I would be able to tell you a lot more,” said Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare. “He's not a traditional Republican. It's unclear what his congressional agenda is and what his proposals really mean.”
What is clear is that Trump, a businessman with no political experience, struck...