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.


ADMEAADMEA 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.


Pictured: Dedra Haworth, Mike Calcaterra, Eric Ecker, Alesha Rate, John Gallagher, Dan Harrington 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 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.


MAMES 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.


TexMEP 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.


TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. hme
  3. member spotlight
  4. vgm
  5. vgm government

From Our Experts

Fall Prevention Awareness Day: Safeguarding Independence for CRT Users thumbnail Fall Prevention Awareness Day: Safeguarding Independence for CRT Users Every year, on the first day of fall, communities come together to observe Fall Prevention Awareness Day. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of creating safe environments for individuals, especially those who rely on complex rehab technology (CRT) to lead independent lives. A Letter From the President, Adam Miller: September 2023 thumbnail A Letter From the President, Adam Miller: September 2023 Read from Adam Miller about the key takeaways from the 2023 AOPA National Assembly. Think Pink and Get Ready: Gearing Up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month thumbnail Think Pink and Get Ready: Gearing Up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 is quickly nearing the end, and October is just around the corner. Is your women's health business ready for Breast Cancer Awareness Month? OPGA Names 2023 Woman of the Year thumbnail OPGA Names 2023 Woman of the Year Nikki Grace-Strader has been selected as the 2023 O&P Woman of the Year. The Latest in Billing & Reimbursement from Ronda Buhrmester: September 2023 thumbnail The Latest in Billing & Reimbursement from Ronda Buhrmester: September 2023 Read for several billing & reimbursement-specific updates regarding audits, the competitive bidding program, using the ST modifier, Medicare Part C beneficiary complaints, and protecting your PTAN. VGM's Sleep Services Reaches Out – Early and Often thumbnail VGM's Sleep Services Reaches Out – Early and Often HME News reports about the official launch of VGM Sleep Services, a service to help HME providers specifically address the growing impact of staffing shortages on compliance with CPAP therapy. OPGA Supports OPGA Supports "So Every BODY Can Move" to Champion Accessible Prosthetic and Orthotic Care Through Hood to Coast 2023 Relay OPGA is proud to announce its support for the cause championed by "So Every BODY Can Move," an organization dedicated to ensuring individuals with limb loss and limb difference can access life-changing prosthetic and orthotic care. Cybersecurity: Five Tips For Remaining Secure thumbnail Cybersecurity: Five Tips For Remaining Secure We are providing five tips from VGM Group's SVP of Corporate Information Services, Jay Bracken, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).