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At the dawn of CMS’ “winning” bid announcement, VGM would like to remind all providers to keep up the pressure with your legislators to STOP competitive bidding. We cannot let up now. It is crucial that H.R. 3790 continues with its momentum and accrues maximum support from House representatives. Maximum support will pressure the Senate to get moving towards a companion bill.
From July 2 through July 12, members of Congress will be in their home districts for the July 4 district work period. Providers, along with their employees and patients must be sure that they are talking to their representative and their senators about the impact of competitive bidding not only to those directly affected in Round One, but also to those in rural areas. Because this is an election year, many legislators will be attending July Fourth activities. Be sure that you are attending the same activities to talk about the issues.
Talk to your representative
If your representative has signed on:
- Thank him or her for signing on.
- Ask that he or she contact the leadership of both the House Ways and Means and the Energy and Commerce Committees to get the bill to move forward.
- Ask that he or she contact your senators to create awareness on the impact of competitive bidding to all areas including those not included in the first round.
If your representative has not signed on, urge him or her to cosponsor.
- Discuss the jobs that will be lost not only in the areas directly affected by competitive bidding, but also in rural areas when third-party payers and Medicaid begin to implement the “suicide” bid rates. Use the Jobs Handout for reference.
- Remind them that competitive bidding is harmful to patients, reducing access to quality care. Click here for handout.
Talk to your senators
- Ask them to support efforts to eliminate competitive bidding.
- Ask them to contact Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Senate Finance Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), or Senate Finance Health Subcommittee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.V.) and urge them to introduce support a companion bill to H.R. 3790 to STOP competitive bidding. (Note: The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction of Medicare, thus explaining the importance of having the three aforementioned committee leaders supporting a repeal of competitive bidding. Additionally, while many senators have indicated their support of repealing competitive bidding, they have also stated that they cannot introduce the legislation as an original sponsor. This would have to come from a leader in the Senate Finance Committee.)
More information including handouts, letters, and directions to the DC Link may be found on the VGM Web site here.
Please remember the importance of grassroots efforts! Get your employees and patients involved. While they are home for the July 4 work period, be sure to attend any Independence Day activities or town hall meetings with your employees and make them aware of the concerns about competitive bidding.
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