Member Spotlight: HME State Association Activists

Published in Member Communities on June 02, 2021

HME state associations play an integral role in the health of our industry, and we are so proud of those VGM members who participate in their regional state association and help advocate for the HME industry.

Read about the recent visits members have participated in with their state association and VGM Government to speak about the issues impacting the HME industry.

PAMES Members Meet With The Office Of HME Champ - Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05)

During the week of May 17, PAMES members including Mike Calcaterra and Paul Sabin from Norco, Don Whitney of Inland Medical and Rehab, and Melissa Roberts of Bellevue Healthcare, along with John Gallagher, met Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers staff in her Spokane office.

ADMEA ADMEA Members Meet with Members of Alabama Congress

During the week of April 26, VGM’s John Gallagher traveled throughout Alabama to meet with HME suppliers, the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association (ADMEA), and members of the U.S. Congress. Those who attended these meetings include Don Jones of Southern Medical Equipment, Chris Sells of Sells Medical Equipment Inc., and Henry Fulgham of Saad Medical Equipment Inc.

Montana HME Providers and Big Sky AMES Members Meet with Montana Congressional Offices

The week of April 19 was a big week for the Big Sky AMES! The group met with all three Montana federal congressional offices; Sens. Daines and Tester, and Freshman Congressman Rep. Rosendale’s offices. Those in attendance include Eric Ecker- President of Big Sky AMES of St. Vincent’s Medical Supply and Mobility, Alesha Rate – past President of Big Sky AMES and Mike Calcaterra of Norco, Jenn Morrisoe of Dillon Medical Supply, Dedra Haworth and Dan Harrington of Harrington Surgical, and John Gallagher of VGM.

OMEPA Meets with Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5)

President of OMEPA State Association Larry Dalton, OMEPA members, HME providers of Oklahoma, and John Gallagher of VGM gathered at the Oklahoma City capitol during the week of April 5 to encourage OK state senators to vote yes to HME licensure in the state of Oklahoma.

Iowa HME Providers Meet with Freshman Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA-4)

HME providers and MAMES members in Iowa’s 4th congressional district met with Freshman Representative Randy Feenstra on April 1. Hosted by Choice Medical of Ames, Iowa, attendees included Kevin Henning and Jami Tharp of Choice Medical, Jim Schafhauser of MAMES, Brett Barker of Nucara, Gene Lilla and Tammy Jarnagin of Mary Greeley, Patrick Reeves and Amy Massey of UnityPoint, state representative Brian Best, John Gallagher, Clint Geffert, and Dave Lyman of VGM.

OAMES VGM Meets with Providers and Legislators in Ohio and Kentucky

On March 18, Gallagher accompanied KMESA member, Thad Connally of First Choice Home Medical LLC, to a meeting with staff from Rep. Brett Guthrie’s office in Bowling Green. On March 19, Gallagher joined OAMES, Kam Yuricich, and OAMES members Dedra Thompson of Guardian Pharmacy and Craig Rowitz of Care Medical, to Rep. Wenstrup’s Cincinnati office.

Texas Congressional Meetings - Continuing to Educate Freshmen Members of Congress on HME

On March 2, Don Dobbins of Heritage Home Medical Equipment, along with Metcalf and Gallagher, met with the offices of Rep. Pfluger in Granbury and Rep. Jackson in Wichita Falls. The next day, meetings were held with two more Texas representatives, Rep. Fallon and Rep. Van Duyne. Attending these meetings were Laurie Bachorek of Metrocare Equipment and Jennifer Wilson of One Source Medical Solutions.

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