VGMHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Champion Of Change: Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients

Published in VGM Government Relations on April 21, 2025

Today, we shine a spotlight on Lauryn Estrella, the dedicated Executive Director of Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) and a true Champion of Change in the HME industry.

Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients
Lauryn Estrella, Executive Director of HOMES, alongside Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI).

Last week, Lauryn was the key representative of the HME industry during a roundtable discussion hosted in Rhode Island. The event delved into the profound effects of tariffs on local businesses. Lauryn focused on challenges faced by HME providers and the patients they serve. Her insights highlighted the industry's struggles and brought attention to the urgent need for solutions that would safeguard both the businesses and communities reliant on their services.

Lauryn’s advocacy doesn’t stop there. Later this week, she will continue championing the cause as she takes part in discussions on Medicaid cuts in New Hampshire—another vital issue affecting healthcare access and provider sustainability.

Thank you, Lauryn, for being a true Champion of Change—passionately advocating on behalf of providers, patients, and the HME industry as a whole!

As reported by HOMES:

On April 16, 2025, HOMES Executive Director, Lauryn Estrella, participated in a press roundtable hosted by Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02) to discuss the impact of tariffs on home medical equipment (HME) providers and patients in Rhode Island.

Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients

Lauryn joined leaders from construction, hospitality, and manufacturing organizations within the state to discuss how the recent tariffs could affect local businesses. She specifically spoke about the current challenges facing the HME industry, including the ongoing fight for sustainable reimbursement, and how tariffs would only worsen the situation - further limiting patient access to the medical equipment they need to remain safe at home.

Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients

She pointed out that, unlike other industries, providers can’t pass added costs on to their patients and noted the significant decline in the number of providers since the implementation of Medicare’s competitive bidding program. When an industry already burdened by ongoing reimbursement concerns is further impacted by tariffs, it becomes extremely difficult - in some cases, impossible - for providers to deliver the quality care their patients need and deserve.

Rhode Island has already experienced a 22% decline in HME providers from 2013 to 2022, and by 2023, that number had risen to 33%. If tariffs are imposed on home medical equipment and supplies, that number is likely to climb even higher.

Though it's clear that tariffs on essential medical equipment and supplies pose a serious threat to HME providers and the patients they serve, it was encouraging to hear Rep. Magaziner and his team acknowledge and understand our concerns - even saying, “We’re friends for life now.”

A big thank you to Rep. Magaziner for hosting this important event and ensuring home medical equipment was part of the discussion. We’re hopeful these conversations will continue and open the door for real solutions that support both patients and providers in Rhode Island.

From Our Experts

Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 thumbnail Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) have introduced the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act, legislation designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries who rely on ostomy and urological supplies. The bill would... Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies thumbnail Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare competitive acquisition programs for five years... CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows... Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory thumbnail Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory The signing of AB 1794 is another reminder of the critical role state associations play in shaping healthcare policy, removing barriers to patient care, and ensuring providers have a seat at the table when important decisions are made. Legislative successes like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of engaged members, strong advocacy efforts, and collaboration with policymakers to address real-world challenges facing providers and the patients they serve. S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate thumbnail S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 has passed in the Senate through unanimous consent. It now heads to the President to be signed into law. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), The Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 would... August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy thumbnail August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy As Congress worked through the August recess, the VGM Government Relations team remained actively engaged in securing meetings and building relationships with legislators, candidates, and key congressional staff across the country. This summer, the team made a strategic decision to focus getting a strong balance between Republican and Democratic offices, recognizing the importance of broadening support for DMEPOS priorities and ensuring policymakers from both parties understand the challenges.. Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters thumbnail Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters The VGM Government Relations team is excited to announce Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters, a new way for patients, providers, vendors, caregivers, and industry partners to share their experiences with home medical equipment. Every story matters. AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program thumbnail AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program Thank you to AAHomecare for initiating this important survey demonstrating the significant risks to the DMEPOS industry should Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bid Program (RID CBP) Round 2028 move forward as is. VGM Group is proud to support the survey efforts to maximize provider participation. See below for the survey summary and analysis.