Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

Arkansas Introduces a Bill to Exempt Breast Pump Supplies From Sales Taxes

Published in Government Relations on March 20, 2023

Ask your Arkansas legislators to support HB 1364 (Clowney) and pass this legislation exempting breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, breast pump kits, and breast pads from state sales tax.

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.

And while insurance coverage is an option for some, it does not solve the problem. Many individuals have to buy pumps outside of insurance, out of pocket, and are subject to tax. For those covered by insurance, the tax cost still impacts them as sales tax increases the cost to supply pumps on the insurance market, leaving parents with fewer choices despite scientific evidence that breastfeeding fosters infant and maternal health. If insurance is used to help subsidize a premium breast pump model, the parents and the home medical equipment provider are still required to pay their respective taxes.

Eliminating this tax is one step Arkansas can take to improve access to breastfeeding for women at all socioeconomic levels, and it’s a solution that is both simple and cost-effective.

A pre-written message is included on this page; you are encouraged to add information to that message about your company’s work providing Arkansas mothers with breast pumps or purchasing a pump within the state. Please also share this link with your colleagues and contacts and ask them to take action.

Message Your Representative

From Our Experts

Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services thumbnail

Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services Today, we're proud to spotlight two outstanding durable medical equipment (DME) champions whose advocacy efforts are making a meaningful difference: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical of Alabama and Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services of New York. These individuals took time out of their busy schedules to personally connect with elected officials, demonstrating how local action can spark national change.

Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes thumbnail

Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes CQRC, VGM, and AAHomecare are requesting your feedback on a new proposed rule that could significantly impact accreditation procedures. Under the proposal, accreditation organizations would be required to conduct site visits every year—a major shift from the current once-every-three-years schedule.

WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care thumbnail

WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the NCD for Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the home setting for treating Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The changes aim to establish clear coverage policies for devices such as Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and home mechanical ventilators (HMVs), potentially expanding access to these critical therapies for eligible patients. Adapting to new CMS guidelin

Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced thumbnail

Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced In a timely move ahead of next week's NAAOP Legislative Fly-In, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, a bill aimed at improving access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries. The Patient-Centered Care Act seeks to address critical gaps in Medicare coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services. Under current rules, beneficiaries may receive devices without the necessary clinical services

Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process thumbnail

Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process The recently released proposed rule CMS-1828-P contains a significant change that could reshape how suppliers navigate accreditation. The rule proposes a major change that would require suppliers to be surveyed and reaccredited annually instead of the current three (3) year cadence. This proposal raises substantial questions about both operational feasibility and cost implications.

August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress thumbnail

August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress It's time to take advantage of August Of Action—a perfect opportunity to make your voice heard. Every summer, federal legislators return to their home states during the Congressional recess. While it gives them a break from Washington D.C., it's primarily a time for them to connect with constituents like you.

HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature thumbnail

HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature After extensive negotiations and partisan debate, the House has officially passed HR1, clearing the path for the bill to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation, which aims to reduce federal healthcare expenditures, contains several provisions that may impact the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) industry.

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program On June 30, 2025, CMS filed the anticipated Proposed Rule that includes updates to the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Public comments are due 60 days from June 30, 2025. Below is a high-level summary of the rule. It is critical to note that, according to the Proposed Rule Fact Sheet dated June 30, 2025, CMS has stated that they have not announced the specific product categories they are bidding or the specific timeframe for the next competition. Those specifics will be forthcoming in a fu

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member