John Gallagher and Greg Packer Attend Successful Fly-In on Capitol Hill

Published in Complex Rehab on May 16, 2023

On May 10, John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations, and Greg Packer, President of U.S. Rehab, participated in the AAHomecare Fly-In event in Washington D.C. The purpose of their attendance was to discuss key industry issues with members of Congress and their staff. 

John, Guthrie, Witter, Apria

One of the main focuses of their discussions was the introduction of S. 1294. This bill aims to establish a 75/25 blended rate for non-rural, non-competitive bidding area (CBA) suppliers. Senator Stabenow from Michigan and Senator Thune from South Dakota are the sponsors of this bill. Additionally, talks were underway regarding a potential house bill with Representative Tonko from New York. 

The plan for the competitive bid program and its current status with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was also discussed. Gallagher and Packer highlighted the fact that suppliers have been operating under the same rates since 2016, despite significant inflation and supply chain issues. This ended on the topic of deficit reduction through sequestration. Strategies to mitigate the impact of sequestration on the industry were explored. 

Positive interactions were reported with staff at Senator Crapo's office, Senator Lankford, staff from Senator Ernst's office, and a member of Representative Feenestra’s office. These individuals expressed support for the industry's efforts and willingness to help. 

John with Staff Member

Conversations that were had with individuals such as Rep. Miller-Meeks and staff from Senator Grassley’s office were productive, with a willingness to review the information and work towards future collaboration. There was a shared understanding of issues related to blended rates (75/25) and the complex rehab technology (CRT) information. 

Additionally, Senator Marshall from Kansas was working on a bill called the "Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act," which would aid in the prior authorization (PA) process. The meeting with Senator Marshall was productive. 

Greg and Wayne

Overall, Packer and Gallagher attended 14 successful meetings in D.C., with various members of Congress and their staff showing support and understanding of the industry's concerns. VGM Government Relations will continue to champion change for the industry throughout the year on Capitol Hill and at the grassroots level.  


TAGS

  1. cms
  2. complex rehab
  3. medicare
  4. vgm
  5. vgm government

From Our Experts

2025 Growth Strategies in the Complex Rehab Technology Industry thumbnail 2025 Growth Strategies in the Complex Rehab Technology Industry Forward-thinking businesses are adopting strategic approaches to fuel growth and expand impact. Here are some key strategies CRT dealers are leveraging in 2025. ATP Gateway Allows Repair Techs to Explore New Career thumbnail ATP Gateway Allows Repair Techs to Explore New Career U.S. Rehab added a new ATP Gateway program to the back end of its recent live tech training events in an effort to increase the funnel of ATPs entering the market by leveraging the repair tech workforce. Heartland Conference 2025 Recap: Where Innovation Meets Intention thumbnail Heartland Conference 2025 Recap: Where Innovation Meets Intention Heartland 2025 brought together a vibrant community of professionals who are not only navigating change but actively shaping the future of care. U.S. Rehab, Nymbl ‘Make Life So Much Easier' For Therapists thumbnail U.S. Rehab, Nymbl ‘Make Life So Much Easier' For Therapists U.S. Rehab and Nymbl Systems have collaborated on a new software feature that allows ATPs and therapists to communicate more efficiently about wheelchair evaluations. Maximize Your Heartland Experience: Tips, Tools, & Must-Knows thumbnail Maximize Your Heartland Experience: Tips, Tools, & Must-Knows Here's everything you need to know to ensure a smooth, successful, and unforgettable Heartland experience. Understanding the Value of ATP Certification and ATP Academy thumbnail Understanding the Value of ATP Certification and ATP Academy Becoming an ATP is a popular path often taken by occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), physical therapy assistants (PTAs), and wheelchair technicians. With an ATP certification, one can both fill the needs of suppliers to sell certain wheelchairs and demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to complete their job as defined by the leading authority in the credentialing industry. Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers thumbnail Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers May is Mobility Awareness Month, a time recognizing the importance of mobility solutions, the professionals who provide them, and those who rely on them. U.S. Rehab's Live Tech Training and ATP Gateway Training Programs for 2025 thumbnail U.S. Rehab's Live Tech Training and ATP Gateway Training Programs for 2025 Our focus and one of our key drivers to help support our U.S. Rehab members is to continue to lead the way in complex rehab technology (CRT) training, offering Live Tech Training sessions and a new ATP Gateway Training Program in 2025.