VGM Government Meets with Reps. Feenstra and Best at Choice Medical in Ames, IA.

Published in Government Relations on October 20, 2022

Choice Medical Event

On Monday, Oct. 17, Choice Medical in Ames, IA, held an event for Rep. Randy Feenstra. Discussions included support for H.R. 6641 and the extension of the CARES ACT DME provisions impacting Non-Rural Rates after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).   

Iowa State House Rep. Brian Best, the former owner of Best Home Medical in western Iowa, was also in attendance. 

Earlier this year, Feenstra completed his Ph.D. in Business and Healthcare Administration from Northcentral University, focusing specifically on healthcare outcomes and healthcare deserts in rural America.  He understands the importance of quality medical equipment and services, particularly how HME relates to rural America.  

Thank you Choice Medical for hosting this successful event!  

From Our Experts

President Trump Pauses Implementation of Tariffs for One Month thumbnail President Trump Pauses Implementation of Tariffs for One Month On Monday, Feb. 3, President Donald Trump suspended his threat of imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada at the last minute, agreeing to a one-month pause in exchange for concessions on border security and crime enforcement. Impact Of Tariffs On The DMEPOS Industry thumbnail Impact Of Tariffs On The DMEPOS Industry President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Saturday, Feb. 1. Sens. Blackburn and Duckworth Introduce S.247 - Carbon Fiber/Titanium Wheelchair Upgrade Bill thumbnail Sens. Blackburn and Duckworth Introduce S.247 - Carbon Fiber/Titanium Wheelchair Upgrade Bill Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have introduced the Choices for Mobility Act, S. 247. This legislation aims to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries. MAMES Succeeds In Improving Coverage For Breast Pumps And Lactation Services In Nebraska thumbnail MAMES Succeeds In Improving Coverage For Breast Pumps And Lactation Services In Nebraska MAMES has successfully advocated for enhanced coverage of breast pumps and lactation services in Nebraska. Working closely with the Medicaid Director, MAMES ensured the implementation of these changes would be effective and beneficial. The new coverage aligns with other Medicaid programs in the Midwest. A Tribute to John Gallagher: A Journey of Dedication and Memories thumbnail A Tribute to John Gallagher: A Journey of Dedication and Memories When I started working for John Gallagher 12 years ago, I often heard the phrase, “baptism by fire.” I quickly learned what that meant. At the time, the team consisted of John Gallagher, Mark Higley, and Tom Powers, and they were all constantly on the road. I would get a phone call from John saying, “The ESRD was just released, look it up and write up a summary, we need to get this to our members ASAP. I'm hopping on a plane…get it out before the end of the day.” 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.