Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess

Published in Government Relations on September 16, 2025

This August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation. Their efforts are helping to build momentum and expand the network of congressional supporters.

One standout event took place in Dallas, Texas, where Laurie Bachorek, Director of Rehab at Baxter Management/MetroCare, hosted Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas’ 33rd district—a member of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. As part of his “Marc Means Business” initiative, Rep. Veasey spent the day working alongside the MetroCare team to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by the DME community.

“He trained with our ATP and Rehab Tech in the morning, toured the facility, and rode along to deliver a repaired powerchair to a patient near his district,” Laurie shared.

This immersive experience gave Rep. Veasey a deeper understanding of the essential services DME providers deliver every day. Most notably, he committed to supporting H.R. 2005, a significant win for the industry. Congratulations to Laurie and the MetroCare team for organizing such a meaningful and impactful visit!

Meanwhile, HOMES-ED’s Lauryn Estrella coordinated an impressive nine meetings with federal legislators across the six HOMES association states. These meetings—both virtual and in-person—included discussions with:

• Rep. Joe Courtney
• Rep. Jim Himes
• Rep. Jared Golden
• Rep. Chellie Pingree
• Rep. Gabe Amo
• Rep. Seth Moulton
• Rep. Jake Auchincloss
• Rep. Katherine Clark
• Rep. Chris Pappas

Lauryn reflected on the initiative:

“Since the early 2000s, HOMES has made it a priority to meet with federal legislators throughout New England during August recess. This year, we aimed to re-establish those connections while lawmakers were back in their district offices. These relationships—and their support—are vital to our industry. There’s nothing better than walking into a meeting and hearing, ‘What am I signing onto today?’

We’ve had great success in the past, and we’re working to rebuild those relationships to protect patient access to care by supporting the providers who serve them.

We encourage our members to join these meetings and share their stories—not just providers, but associate members as well. Legislators need to hear how harsh reimbursement cuts and Competitive Bidding are impacting home care patients. These stories matter, and I look forward to welcoming more members into these important conversations.”

These impactful engagements during the August recess demonstrate the power of direct advocacy and storytelling in shaping policy. By opening their doors and sharing their experiences, DME providers are helping lawmakers understand the real-world implications of their decisions. As we move forward, continued collaboration and outreach will be essential to advancing legislation that protects access to quality care and supports the DME community. Let’s keep the momentum going—every conversation counts.