A Week of Advocacy in Iowa

Published in Government Relations on October 05, 2022

On Monday, Oct. 3, VGM hosted a visit from Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for a meet-and-greet event. Sen. Grassley has been a long-term supporter of the industry from his position on the Senate Finance Committee. The VGM team spoke to him about concerns in the DMEPOS industry, including an extension of the CARES Act, reimbursement, sequestration, and overall concerns with reimbursement and accessibility to quality product and service issues. With Sen. Grassley up for reelection this year, this was a terrific opportunity for him to come and speak about his campaign as well. 

Grassley GroupGrassleyspeaks

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, CarePro hosted an event with Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-2) in Coralville, IA, who is also up for re-election in the 2nd district of Iowa. The team at CarePro did a fantastic job of painting a picture of the issues the industry is facing. Being a physician, Rep. Miller-Meeks had familiarity with most home medical equipment. The group educated her on the significant reimbursement cuts over the years which have decimated HME suppliers in Iowa and across the country. 

GroupSpeakingd

If you are still looking for an opportunity to speak with a member of Congress, there will be a meet-and-greet event with Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA-4) on October 17 at Choice Medical in Ames, IA. If you would like to attend or contribute to this event, please reach out to Emily Harken at  [email protected] or call 319-830-1578. 

Please continue to be an advocate for the HME industry! The need for improved policies and reimbursement has never been greater, and if you need assistance with this process, please reach out to Emily Harken and she will give you helpful resources. 


TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. vgm
  3. vgm government

From Our Experts

Arkansas Introduces a Bill to Exempt Breast Pump Supplies From Sales Taxes thumbnail Arkansas Introduces a Bill to Exempt Breast Pump Supplies From Sales Taxes In Arkansas, mothers who pump breast milk are required to pay sales tax when they buy their equipment. Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and taxing pumps limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. Changes to the New Oxygen Equipment Medical Policy thumbnail Changes to the New Oxygen Equipment Medical Policy For those providers who supply home oxygen equipment, it's vital to be familiar with the changes that are being implemented Jan. 1, 2023. California is Moving Forward with Bill to Remove Tax on Breast Pump Equipment thumbnail California is Moving Forward with Bill to Remove Tax on Breast Pump Equipment In California, mothers who pump breast milk are required to pay sales tax when they buy their equipment. Meanwhile, infant formula is generally exempted from taxation. Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and taxing pumps limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. Time is Almost up to Send in Comments over Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation Systems thumbnail Time is Almost up to Send in Comments over Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation Systems The comment period is set to go for ONE MORE WEEK! All comments must be in by the end of the day Friday, March 17. CMS Opens Comment Period for Power Seat Elevation Coverage thumbnail CMS Opens Comment Period for Power Seat Elevation Coverage Last week, CMS announced the opening of a comment period relating to the request for Medicare coverage of power seat elevation systems used with complex power wheelchairs. Ronda Vlog: Additional Information Regarding the New Oxygen Policy thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Additional Information Regarding the New Oxygen Policy Listen below Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement talks through questions and additional information, and updates on the new oxygen policy. The PHE Will End May 11 thumbnail The PHE Will End May 11 President Biden has announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11, 2023. Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. thumbnail Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. With the start of the 118th Congress and all members of Congress returning to D.C., VGM Government Relations' Tom Powers headed to Capitol Hill.