Congratulations to Rose Schafhauser (MAMES and SWMESA) On Winning the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion Award!

Published in Government Relations on February 12, 2025

Rose Schafhauser, Homecare Champion

AAHomecare

Rose Schafhauser has been named the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion! Please join us in congratulating Rose on this well-deserved recognition in the industry.

“For over four decades, Rose has served the HME community with unwavering dedication, passion, and leadership,” notes Tom Ryan, President & CEO of AAHomecare. “This recognition honors her incredible contributions to the HME industry, as well as her steadfast commitment to priority policy initiatives at both the federal and state levels.”

“Rose's service has been defined by tireless advocacy and a collaborative spirit," continues Ryan. "Through her involvement with several boards and committees, including the Jurisdiction A, B, and C Councils, the NSCAC, AAHomecare’s Executive Committee, and as past Chair of the State Leaders Council, Rose has been a driving force in advancing our industry. She has built relationships with members of Congress, most notably Sen. John Thune (SD), which have proven instrumental in securing reimbursement relief over the past decade. She prioritizes industry education, advocacy, and relationship building – which have been pillars of the organizations she manages. Rose has always shown unwavering commitment and dedication to the industry - all hallmarks of this award.”

Van Miller Homecare Champion Award

The Van Miller Homecare Champion Award, renamed in 2016 to reflect the legacy of Van G. Miller, founder and former CEO of VGM Group, Inc., celebrates individuals who have demonstrated the visionary spirit that has helped shape and strengthen our industry. Last year’s recipient, Joel Marx of Medical Service Company in Ohio, was recognized for his leadership and service as past chair of AAHomcare's Board of Directors and active member of OAMES. This year's award is presented to Rose, who has left an indelible mark on the HME community through her efforts to build strong collaborations on legislation, regulation, education, and promoting the value of high-quality, home-based care. Her influence reaches far beyond the MAMES and SWMESA footprint, impacting suppliers and HME leaders across the nation.

Rose Schafhauser – Champion of the HME Industry

Rose began with the HME industry as a supplier, where she built a working knowledge of Medicare as a Medicare claims processor and then later as General Manager of Healtheast Med Home. After her tenure in the HME industry, Rose established Association Management LLC where she became the Executive Director of MAMES and SWMESA. In this role, she works with volunteers across 11 states to guide advocacy, payer relations, and regulatory initiatives.

“I am truly humbled to be recognized as the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion and to share this award with the incredible past winners and nominees,” notes Rose.

“Having spent my entire 40-year career in the HME industry, I have been blessed to have learned from and work with the very best our industry has to offer. They have all contributed to driving my passion for serving the people I am so lucky to work with every day.

But it is my family that has provided the foundation to receiving this award. My husband Jim’s support these past 40 years from my days at Medicare to encouraging me to interview to become the General Manager at MedHome to supporting my crazy idea to start an association management company and then joining me 20 years ago has allowed me to pursue my passion. My daughters, Sara and Mary, who 25 years ago stuffed envelopes and prepped event packets and now work with us on events and administration have always driven me to show them what can be if you are willing to go get it.

I am honored to receive this award, and I would challenge every member of our HME community from the newest biller to the long-term owner to get involved. Together we can win!”

Award Recognition

We look forward to celebrating Rose’s achievements at the AAHomecare Update during Medtrade on Feb. 19, at 2:15 p.m. in Ballroom D3/4 in Dallas, TX. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the homecare community to honor her remarkable contributions. Following the presentation, leaders of AAHomecare’s councils will lead discussions on new challenges and opportunities impacting the HME community, including technology, a new administration, and more!

From Our Experts

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 Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval thumbnail Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval President Donald Trump's sweeping legislative package, formally titled the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, now referred to as HR1., cleared the Senate today in a dramatic 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill now returns to the House, where lawmakers must decide whether to adopt the Senate's revised version or negotiate further changes before it can reach the president's desk. Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule thumbnail Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised this week that multiple Medicaid provisions in the Senate's reconciliation bill would violate Senate procedure by violating the Byrd Rule. The Byrd Rule is a Senate-specific procedural process that allows Senators to prevent or block inclusion of extraneous provisions in reconciliation bills. Other provisions are still under review. Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract thumbnail Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract In our last article, Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What?, we discussed strategies for addressing payer contracting denials due to a closed network. As indicated, this process can be an extremely time-consuming exercise with no guarantees and mixed results. Below are a few things to consider as you evaluate whether a contract is worth the extra effort. Webinar: Webinar: "Navigating The New CMS Landscape: RADs, HMVs, and Supplier Survival" on June 25 at 1 p.m. CT. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final National Coverage Determination (NCD) for RADs and HMVs used in treating chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. While the rule potentially expands access to bilevel ST therapy (RADs), it also introduces complex compliance requirements, tighter usage criteria, and increased documentation burdens—without additional reimbursement. The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July. Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM. Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people.