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

Published in VGM Government Relations on July 03, 2025

Key Provisions Affecting DMEPOS Providers: 

1. Potential Medicare Reimbursement Reductions. Under HR1, a failure to waive PAYGO requirements could trigger a mandatory 4% across-the-board cut to Medicare reimbursement rates. 

2. Medicaid Work Requirements. The bill introduces mandatory work or educational activity requirements for Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 64. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these changes could result in millions losing Medicaid coverage over the next decade. For DMEPOS suppliers, this likely translates into reduced demand among Medicaid-enrolled patients. 

3. Wider Fiscal Implications Designed To Rein In Government Spending. HR1 includes projected reductions across multiple social programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and clean energy initiatives. These budgetary shifts are intended to offset tax relief provisions and increased defense spending. For DMEPOS stakeholders, the ripple effects may include decreased state funding, tighter reimbursement policies, and greater administrative complexity. 

DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Formally Announced In Federal Register 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released the Proposed Rule for the next round of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program in the Federal Register. As previewed by VGM & Associates, this rule outlines key updates that will shape the future of Medicare reimbursement for DMEPOS items. 

Public Comment Period: Make Your Voice Heard 

It is critical for DME suppliers and stakeholders to participate in the public comment period to ensure that industry perspectives are reflected in the final policy. 

1. Deadline for Comments: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT on August 29. 

2. Reference: Please include file code CMS-1828-P in your submission. 

3. Note: CMS cannot accept comments via fax due to staffing and resource limitations. 

How to Submit Comments 

Go to the federal register proposed rule:  

Choose one of the following methods to submit your feedback: 

1. Electronically: Submit comments at Regulations.gov. Follow the instructions under the “Submit a Comment” tab.  Federal Register :: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; Requirements for the HH Quality Reporting Program and the HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model; Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Updates; DMEPOS Accreditation Requirements; Provider Enrollment; and Other Medicare and Medicaid Policies 

2. By mail: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1828-P P.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-8013 (Ensure timely delivery before the deadline). 

3. By express or overnight mail: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1828-P Mail Stop C4-26-05 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 

VGM Is With You Every Step Of The Way 

VGM has stood by the DMEPOS community through every round of competitive bidding—and this time is no different. We remain committed to supporting suppliers throughout this process and will continue to provide resources and guidance along the way. 

Stay tuned for more insights as the rulemaking process unfolds. 

From Our Experts

Showing Up...It Matters! thumbnail Showing Up...It Matters! We've all heard the phrase, "Showing up matters." That can mean a lot of different things at different times in our lives, even changing daily. Perhaps it means leaving work early to attend your children's event. Maybe it means not missing that important meeting at work. No doubt, both of those things are important. For us here in the Government Relations corner of VGM Group, it means something additional. Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment thumbnail Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment In every industry, there are people who do more than simply lead organizations. They inspire progress, build relationships, and create lasting change. In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, Matthew Flatt, CEO of Medicap Home Medical (formerly NuCara Home Medical) and President of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES), is one of those individuals... 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..