VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

August Recess is Around the Corner

Published in Government Relations on July 15, 2021

August of ActionEvery year, members of Congress take the end of summer to spend time in their state/districts to hear from their constituent base. This year, the August recess begins on August 2 and ends on September 10. Now is the time to reach out to your members of Congress at both the state and federal level to schedule a meeting during the August break. It’s important to build these relationships so HME legislation can move more efficiently through both levels of government.

VGM is here to help you! Your legislators typically host events to hear their constituents’ concerns. Attending in-person events like town halls is a wonderful use of your time and resources. Visit your federal and state legislators’ websites or call their offices to find out where and when they hold town halls or other local events.

Items you should discuss with your member of Congress

  • Accessibility to quality services and products to Medicare beneficiaries
  • The reimbursement rates for HME during the COVID-19 public health emergency remain in place after the PHE is over
  • Home medical equipment suppliers be included in PPE and vaccine distribution

VGM is here to equip you with the meetings whether they be virtual or in person. We can assist with scheduling meetings with your member of Congress or their staff, offering coaching sessions on how to speak with your legislator, and providing you with concise points that will best get your message across. Visit our website to view our August of Action resources.

Reach out to Emily at 319-830-1578 or Emily.Harken@vgm.com to learn more about opportunities to get involved during the August recess. The sooner we reach out, the more time we have to plan these events and the better chance we have of getting the meeting with the member of Congress themselves. Staff meetings are great too! Typically, the staff members are more knowledgeable in the details of our industry.

If you want to find and contact your representative, click here to go to our website and enter your zip code to get started.

Congressional Meetings in the First Half of 2021

In the past six months, we have facilitated over 50 congressional meetings with great state associations like MAMES, NEMEP, TEXMEP, ADMEA, and many others. These meetings have provided HME suppliers the opportunity to discuss concerns with reimbursement. Out of the 50+ meetings, 11 have been with new (freshmen) members of Congress.

Meetings from the past six months are shown in this image below:

Congressional Meetings First Half 2021The best time to start the fight is now. Clear some time off your calendar and join us in creating big change for the HME/DME industry!

TAGS

  1. vgm government

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year thumbnail CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year As reported by CMS: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is slashing wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients. PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift thumbnail PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift PAMES and DME suppliers across Washington are taking an important stand on behalf of both providers and patients. The Tacoma Daily Index recently reported on the state's plan to move to a sole-source contract for incontinence and urological supplies. Under this decision, the Health Care Authority intends to transition all Medicaid recipients to receiving these products from a single vendor. SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters thumbnail SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters Make your voice heard about how the CBP has affected your business. New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries thumbnail New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Cochairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have introduced the Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services (DIABETES) Act, S.4037. VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center thumbnail VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the reintroduction of its Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Reporting Resource Center—a newly refreshed online hub designed to protect the integrity of the DMEPOS industry and reinforce our unwavering commitment to ethical, compliant care. Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical thumbnail Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical We're proud to once again recognize a true Champion of Change in the DME industry: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical in Tennessee. Thom has dedicated many years to the DME community—consistently showing up, speaking out, and pushing the industry forward. He's the kind of advocate who never stops asking, “Who else can I reach out to about this?” Federal Actions This Week Signal The Administration Is Doubling Down On Its Goal To Eliminate Fraud Waste And Abuse thumbnail Federal Actions This Week Signal The Administration Is Doubling Down On Its Goal To Eliminate Fraud Waste And Abuse This week, the Trump administration, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced a significant deferral of federal Medicaid matching funds to Minnesota alongside the release of a new Request for Information (RFI) tied to the administration's Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative. These actions along with the changes to DMEPOS accreditation and enrollment signal the administration's aggressive posture on Medicaid and Medicare... VGM Response To CMS Moratorium On New DMEPOS Provider thumbnail VGM Response To CMS Moratorium On New DMEPOS Provider The federal moratorium on new DME suppliers presents a defining moment for us as an industry—an opportunity to demonstrate that the VGM members serving patients are the gold standard. We have long shown that our members operate with integrity, excellence in compliance, and unmatched commitment to service, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Now, we must elevate that message.

Unlock everything you need to successfully run your business. 

Become a Member