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 [email protected] 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

From Our Experts

The PHE Is Over: What's Next? thumbnail The PHE Is Over: What's Next? In today's episode of Industry Matters, Mandi Joyner, Senior Director of Marketing at VGM & Associates, talks with three of VGM's payer, billing, and reimbursement experts Ronda Buhrmester, Dan Fedor, and Craig Douglas about the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and what that means for members. Adam Miller and Tom Powers Attend Policy Forum in Washington D.C. thumbnail Adam Miller and Tom Powers Attend Policy Forum in Washington D.C. On Wednesday, May 10, the AOPA Policy Forum held in Washington D.C. brought together over 100 stakeholders, manufacturers, and practitioners in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). John Gallagher and Greg Packer Attend Successful Fly-In on Capitol Hill thumbnail John Gallagher and Greg Packer Attend Successful Fly-In on Capitol Hill 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. FAHCS Secures Major Victory for HME Industry in Florida thumbnail FAHCS Secures Major Victory for HME Industry in Florida FAHCS secures a significant victory for the HME industry in Florida with a 7.5% rate increase to Medicaid Fee Schedule. Washington Governor Signs SB 5218 to Remove Sales Tax From CRT Equipment thumbnail Washington Governor Signs SB 5218 to Remove Sales Tax From CRT Equipment On May 4 in Olympia, Washington, Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5218 into effect. This bill exempts complex rehab technology (CRT) equipment from sales tax, making it more accessible and affordable for those in need of it. CMS Proposes New Rules to Strengthen Transparency and Access to Quality Care in Medicaid and CHIP Programs thumbnail CMS Proposes New Rules to Strengthen Transparency and Access to Quality Care in Medicaid and CHIP Programs CMS has released a two new proposed rules that look to strengthen transparency as well as access to quality care within the Medicaid and CHIP programs. One of the proposed rules is titled Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services and the other is Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality. S. 1294, A Bill to Provide a 75/25 Blended Rate for Non-Rural, Non-CBA Supplier Has Been Introduced thumbnail S. 1294, A Bill to Provide a 75/25 Blended Rate for Non-Rural, Non-CBA Supplier Has Been Introduced S. 1294, a bill to provide a 75/25 blended rate for non-rural, non-CBA suppliers has been introduced. Now we ask that everyone reach out to their senators asking for their support of this crucial bill. Read more about the bill and see an easy way to reach out to your senators. Washington State Passes Bill Exempting Sales Tax on Complex Rehab Technology: A Testimony to the Power of Advocacy and Collaboration thumbnail Washington State Passes Bill Exempting Sales Tax on Complex Rehab Technology: A Testimony to the Power of Advocacy and Collaboration Congratulations to Don Whitney of Inland Medical and the PAMES state association, along with the entire state of Washington, on the recent passing of SB 5218.