Tag: Legislative update

WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders say Congress is “definitely getting back to work,” after a long spring, during which there was little movement on HME issues.  Stakeholders have been meeting with industry champion Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., to discuss legislative language for competitive bidding relief, line up a co-sponsor and identify possible vehicles for the fall, they said.  “We’ve had Hill visits, face-to-face meetings with members...

WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are making a final push to get H.R. 8158 included in an omnibus package that must pass before the 116th session of Congress convenes.  The bill, spearheaded by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, would remove the budget neutrality requirement for home oxygen therapy in rural areas.  “We’re doing our best to convince the committees of jurisdiction that...

WATERLOO, Iowa - With only two weeks left until a July 9 deadline, a paltry 56 comments have been submitted in response to a competitive bidding-related interim final rule.“And we wonder why (nothing changes),” John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for VGM, told attendees at last week's Heartland Conference. “CMS refers to comments all the time. Take the time when you get back to your office to do the comments.”The IFR, published in the May 11 Federal Register,...