Tag: VGM Government Relations
HME’s two-part challenge: Report fraud, tell story
March 27, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has reintroduced a fraud resource center to make it easier for industry stakeholders to help remove bad actors from the home medical equipment (HME) industry. But Ike Isaacson, senior vice president of government and regulatory relations, wants to be clear: The industry wants to not only acknowledge fraud in the Medicare program but also recognize the good actors that make up most of the industry.
HME News: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
VGM reintroduces fraud resource center
March 12, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has refreshed and reintroduced its Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Reporting Resource Center to help protect the integrity of the DMEPOS industry and reinforce its commitment to ethical, compliant care.
The enhanced online hub includes:
Direct links to every state’s fraud reporting system
CMS federal reporting tools and guidance
Educational content to help suppliers identify, prevent and report suspected FWA
Compliance resources...
VGM hosts Senate hopeful Josh Turek
September 29, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Group on Sept. 22 hosted its first “Meet the Candidate” forum by welcoming Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Turek, a state representative who currently represents Iowa House District 20, is widely recognized for his advocacy on disability rights and health care reform. As a wheelchair user and two-time Paralympic gold medalist, he brings a deep personal perspective to issues affecting...
Grassroots efforts heated up during August recess, support builds for H.R. 2005
September 17, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – During the August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation, according to VGM Government Relations.
From West...
In Dallas, Laurie Bachorek, director of rehab at Baxter Management/MetroCare, hosted U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, a member of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. Veasey spent the day working alongside the MetroCare team to gain firsthand...
In brief: Industry mobilizes ahead of deadline, Permobil names president, Inc. 5000 returns
August 15, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa, & ARLINGTON, Va. – From guiding home medical equipment (HME) providers on submitting comments on the proposed rule to mobilizing patients to speak out about the impact of bidding, VGM Government Relations and AAHomecare have launched resources to help.
VGM releases bidding challenges & to-dos
VGM has developed a lengthy outline of competitive bidding proposals, challenges, recommendations and guidance to help DME companies develop comments for an upcoming Aug....
In brief: VGM’s toolkit, Big Tech’s commitment, Dexcom’s new CEO, PBM’s harm
August 1, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – The VGM Government Relations team has launched a Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit to support durable medical equipment professionals, caregivers, industry partners and patient advocates in advancing legislative initiatives that impact equipment and services.
The toolkit includes materials and resources to assist in advocating for the DME industry, including:
Issue briefs: Clear, concise issue briefs outlining key legislative priorities and how they...
Industry urges CMS to set clear timeline for NIPPV coverage changes
July 28, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Four major health care organizations—AAHomecare, the COPD Foundation, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, and VGM Government Relations—have formally requested that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establish a clear implementation timeline for the new national coverage determination (NCD) for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV).
In a letter sent July 23, the groups asked CMS to delay implementation until at least one year...
Industry stakeholders keep eye on Kennedy, Oz
March 7, 2025Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, issued a new policy prohibiting public comments during rulemaking processes, raising concerns about transparency, say industry stakeholders.
In a notice published in the March 3 Federal Register, HHS rescinded the 1971 Richardson Waiver, which requires the agency to provide notice on policy and actions related to agency personnel, public loans, grants, benefits and contracts.
While...
Trump pauses tariffs
February 5, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Feb. 3 suspended his plans to implement 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada, agreeing to a one-month pause in exchange for concessions on border security and crime enforcement.
The DME industry is closely monitoring the situation to see what, if any, exclusions might be included for medical equipment and products, according to a bulletin from VGM Government Relations.
An increase in tariffs, VGM says, could lead to several...
Adam Miller joins gov’t relations team
September 4, 2024HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa — VGM & Associates has named Adam Miller its new vice president of government relations. He was previously president of OPGA, a division of VGM & Associates. “From the very beginning of my time at VGM, I have had the privilege to travel across the country with and learn from VGM’s government relations team,” said Miller. “I have had a front row seat to the power of advocacy and the passion of VGM members in all the industries we serve. I am excited and...