VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Iowa Senators Expand Their Understanding of DME Supplier Issues

Published in Government Relations on October 22, 2024

NuCara Home Medical hosted an event for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) at their Urbandale location on Thursday, Oct. 10. Matt Flatt, CEO of NuCara Home Medical, highlighted the event as a valuable opportunity to educate Sen. Ernst on the importance of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) and the challenges faced by the industry. A special thanks to Matt Flatt and his team at NuCara Home Medical for organizing this fantastic event! 

NuCara

John Gallagher of VGM, Matt Flatt of NuCara Home Medical, and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) 

NuCara Home Medical

Sen. Ernst with the NuCara Home Medical team 

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) visited VGM’s headquarters in Waterloo, IA. These meetings were timely, with elections just a few weeks away, emphasizing the need for legislators to consider the DME industry in year-end legislation.  

Both senators were asked to support the 75/25 blended rate in a year-end package and indicated they would voice their support to Sen. John Thune (R-SD) for S1294. 

75/25 blended rate

VGM with Sen.Grassley

John Gallagher, Christa Miehe, Jeremy Stolz, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Adam Miller, and Emily Harken 

Currently, there is a House Dear Colleague letter supporting this legislation. Constituents are encouraged to reach out to their representatives to support this letter, which calls for the re-establishment of the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for DME in non-rural, non-competitive bid areas for 2025. 

How You Can Help: 

  1. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the DME industry by reaching out to the staff of Rep. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) or Rep. Tonko (D-NY). 
  2. Highlight the importance and emphasize that fair reimbursement rates are crucial for DME suppliers to provide Medicare beneficiaries with the necessary supplies and services to heal at home, rather than in a hospital. 

Contact Information: 

  • Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ Health Staff: Blake Thelander (blake.thelander@mail.house.gov) 
  • Rep. Paul Tonko’s Health Staff: Emily Silverberg (emily.silverberg@mail.house.gov) 

Engage with Legislators: Legislators will be home for most of October until election day. This is a great opportunity to meet your legislators in person! Here are some ways to engage: 

  • Invite them to your office for a tour and meeting. 
  • Request an in-person meeting at their office. 
  • Attend a public event like a state or town fair and speak directly to them about the issues. 
  • Reach out to their staff members requesting support. 

The period after elections but before the new administration takes over is known as the “lame duck” period. This is an interesting time, as outgoing politicians can make decisions with little fear of consequence, presenting a great opportunity to gain additional support for DME legislation. We are hopeful there will be an end-of-the-year package that will carry the DME bill. 

Please reach out to Emily Harken at Emily.harken@vgm.com if you would like any assistance connecting with your legislator!  

TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. dmepos
  3. vgm government

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks Introduces The Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (“SPORT”) Act thumbnail Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks Introduces The Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (“SPORT”) Act Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), who, along with proving to be a champion of DMEPOS related legislation, serves as chair on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health. Recently she introduced H.R. 9478, The Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy (“SPORT”) Act. Congress Passes, President Signs Continuing Resolution thumbnail Congress Passes, President Signs Continuing Resolution As you know by now, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government operating for another three months. Signed by President Joe Biden, this resolution will only fund critical government operations through March 31, 2025. Breaking: Year-End Package Update thumbnail Breaking: Year-End Package Update As lawmakers race to avert a government shutdown ahead of this Friday's deadline, we have learned that the provision to reinstate and extend the 75/25 blended rate will not be included in the proposed continuing resolution that is expected to fund the federal government until March 14, 2025. Despite exhaustive bipartisan efforts from all reaches of the HME community, including providers and stakeholders, there was not enough support to get it included in the package. CMS Releases CPI-U Adjustments For DMEPOS In 2025 And Fee Schedule Q1 thumbnail CMS Releases CPI-U Adjustments For DMEPOS In 2025 And Fee Schedule Q1 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) adjustments for the Calendar Year 2025 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule. BREAKING – Rep. Guthrie Tapped To Lead Energy And Commerce Committee thumbnail BREAKING – Rep. Guthrie Tapped To Lead Energy And Commerce Committee The House Republican Steering Committee recommended Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) on Monday to be the next chairman of the Energy And Commerce Committee. The Energy And Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a broad range of policy issues and federal departments, including healthcare, the Department Of Energy, the Food And Drug Administration, and more. Guthrie has sat on five of the panel's six subcommittees and is chair of its health subcommittee. Action Needed: Support DME Legislation As The 118th Congress Concludes thumbnail Action Needed: Support DME Legislation As The 118th Congress Concludes As the 118th Congress draws to a close, we urgently need your help. Congressional negotiations are currently underway to determine the scope of end-of-year health and budget legislation. We are optimistic that the DME Legislation (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294) will be included in the final legislative package, but your support is crucial to ensure this happens! Champions of Change: Choice Medical thumbnail Champions of Change: Choice Medical We are proud to recognize two HME suppliers and VGM members who have recently taken the initiative to engage with their legislators and staff members. Sen. Thune Lands Senate Majority Leader Role While Support for H.R.5555 and S.1294 Continues thumbnail Sen. Thune Lands Senate Majority Leader Role While Support for H.R.5555 and S.1294 Continues In a significant development, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has been chosen as the new Senate Majority Leader while support continues for H.R.5555 and S.1294.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member