Durable Medical Equipment Community Emergency Response Committee Established. Please Complete Survey!

Published in Member Communities on November 02, 2021

HME Emergency PreparednessEarlier this year, southern states like Texas and Oklahoma were hit with an unexpected winter storm that left many, including patients reliant on oxygen and other powered DME, without power for days.  That’s when HME state associations, VGM, and industry leaders stepped in to begin establishing processes are needed to assist beneficiaries in their time of need. Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee was established to address these issues. The goal of the newly established group is to bring awareness to federal and state emergency management groups of the need for breathing and mobility devices during a natural disaster. The committee also aims to put together a roadmap or toolkit for DME suppliers to follow in these emergency situations.

Emergency Preparedness Committee Members Include:

  • Dawn Seek - MNCHA​
  • Larry Dalton - OMEPA​
  • Beth Bowen - ACMESA/ATHOMES/NEMEP/FAHCS​
  • Bob Achermann - CAMPS​
  • Rose Schafhauser - MAMES/SWMESA​
  • Victoria Peterson - TexMEP​
  • Mike Calcaterra - Big Sky AMES/PAMES
  • Chris Townsend- FAHCS
  • John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM

The group has already met with Tangita Daramola, the Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman for CMS, as well as other CMS officials in an effort to connect with larger audiences at the federal level, bringing awareness of DMEPOS communities’ importance and needs during an emergency.

In order for effective changes to be made, we need to hear from you! Please take a minute to answer the 10 question survey below regarding your experiences during a disaster. The information will be collected and sent to appropriate officials who may be able to assist in improved processes and programs.

Take the Survey

The survey closes November 11.


TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. vgm government

From Our Experts

VGM Heartland Conference 2026 Call for Speakers Now Open thumbnail VGM Heartland Conference 2026 Call for Speakers Now Open VGM is now accepting proposals from prospective speakers for its annual Heartland Conference, taking place June 8-10, 2026. Proposals are due Dec. 15, 2025. Angie McClure Joins Leadership Team of VGM & Associates thumbnail Angie McClure Joins Leadership Team of VGM & Associates VGM & Associates is excited to announce that Angie McClure has joined the Corporate Accounts team as Senior Vice President of Corporate Accounts. Stakeholders ‘Set Tone' for CRT Priorities thumbnail Stakeholders ‘Set Tone' for CRT Priorities At the CRT Fly-In, stakeholders united to strengthen relationships with lawmakers, discuss key legislative priorities, & advocate for essential reforms in CRT. Wheelchair Seating Policy Specific ICD10 NO Longer Required thumbnail Wheelchair Seating Policy Specific ICD10 NO Longer Required Effective Oct. 1, 2025, Medicare removed the ICD-10 requirement for skin protection and positioning cushions and backs. Enhance HME Training with Microlearning Solutions thumbnail Enhance HME Training with Microlearning Solutions Discover how microlearning can transform training in the home medical equipment industry, improving compliance, engagement, and performance with VGM Education. CMS Proposed Rule: What It Means To O&P Providers thumbnail CMS Proposed Rule: What It Means To O&P Providers Watch this update from VGM's Melanie Ewald, VP of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, on the potential impact of the CMS proposed rule on O&P providers. Ronda's Reflections: Four Hot Topics Affecting the DME Industry thumbnail Ronda's Reflections: Four Hot Topics Affecting the DME Industry Read about upcoming NCD implementations, oxygen equipment audits, lymphedema compression garment compliance, and PTAN billing tips. A Letter from the President: Planning with Purpose thumbnail A Letter from the President: Planning with Purpose As we turn the calendar to October, I imagine many of you are taking a deep breath, looking at what's left of 2025, and asking, “How do we finish strong?”