VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

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.

Marc Means Business

“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.

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Join HME Industry Letter on CB Program to CMS Administrator Oz thumbnail Join HME Industry Letter on CB Program to CMS Administrator Oz HME suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors are invited to add their company's name to a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding the Administration's DMEPOS/Home Health Proposed Rule that includes provisions for a new competitive bidding round. The letter specifically asks CMS to withdraw or delay the DMEPOS provisions in the Proposed Rule and re-engage with industry, patient, and clinical stakeholders to design an evidence-based, fraud-resistant, America-First framework. Take Action Today: Urge CMS to Pause and Re-Evaluate the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail Take Action Today: Urge CMS to Pause and Re-Evaluate the Competitive Bidding Program Now is the time to raise our voices. With the formal announcement of the Competitive Bidding (CB) Program expected as early as the end of this month, we must act swiftly and decisively. Below are two key opportunities to engage with your U.S. Representative and encourage their support for a Congressional letter urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to pause and reassess the CB Program. Legislative Momentum in the HME Industry: Key Updates & Action Items thumbnail Legislative Momentum in the HME Industry: Key Updates & Action Items The past few months have seen a surge of legislative activity in the home medical equipment sector, with several key developments shaping policy and advocacy efforts across the industry. From new bills introduced in Congress to formal comment submissions and stakeholder mobilization, these events reflect growing momentum around critical issues affecting providers and patients alike. This article offers a comprehensive recap of recent actions and outlines important next steps for those... VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports thumbnail VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports VGM has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to its Section 232 National Security Investigation into the importation of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment and devices. Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support thumbnail Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support In a significant development for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry and Medicare beneficiaries, the U.S. Senate has introduced S.2951, the companion legislation to H.R. 2005, known as the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025. The Senate bill is being led by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and has gained bipartisan support with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joining as a co-sponsor. Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers thumbnail Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers As expected, Democrats and Republican members of the Senate was unable to agree on terms in passing a continuing resolution (CR) ahead of the October 1st deadline, resulting in a government shutdown. But how did we get here? Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now thumbnail Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now A critical Congressional Sign-On Letter is now circulating in the House of Representatives, led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC). This bipartisan letter calls on CMS to stop the proposed expansion of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program to include ostomy and urological supplies. Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration thumbnail Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration September 30 represents an important date for HME providers for two reasons: 1) The potential of a government shutdown and how that affects HHS and CMS, and 2) the expiration of Telehealth Flexibilities unless a Continuing Resolution (CR) is agreed upon in time.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member