[IMPORTANT] VGM and AAHomecare for Targeted Virtual Hill Day on Nov. 13

Published in Government Relations on October 11, 2023

AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for active Medicare reimbursement legislation as Congress enters final legislative weeks of the year.  The Virtual Hill Day, set for Monday, Nov. 13, will reinforce the virtual advocacy effort from just a few weeks ago with a focus on reaching targeted members on Committees of Jurisdiction for Federal healthcare finance issues.

AAHomecare and VGM are in the process of developing a list of approximately 100 House and Senate offices to reach for this more tightly targeted virtual Hill day and are reaching out to HME advocates represented by these legislators to take the meetings. 

“We’re at a critical juncture for what Medicare rates are going to look like in 2024, as well as for numerous payers those rates influence,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO.  “We have the prospect of 75/25 rates in non-CBAs coming to an end on January 1, and we have active legislation in both chambers for Congress to keep that relief in place, and even to add 90/10 blended relief for CBAs in the House bill.  With those kinds of stakes, we feel the urgency to make one more concerted push to get provisions from H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 into an end-of-year legislative package.”

“We appreciate VGM stepping up to share the cost on the event and to help us in the targeting and recruitment process,” added Ryan.  “Their participation allows us to make this a free-of-charge event for our advocates and will also be critical in helping us to identify and invite constituents for the meetings. We couldn’t ask for a more committed and effective partner in advocacy than the VGM team.”

“It is imperative that the industry comes together to act on these pieces of legislation," said Michael Isaacson, VGM senior vice president of government & regulatory relations. "VGM and AAHomecare continue to work together to ensure that our collective members’ voices are heard, and we are excited to be partners on this important event."

"This Virtual Hill Day is another opportunity for our members to unify their voices so that our elected officials understand the valuable service they provide to individuals and to their communities," continued Issacson. "We look to the industry to stand up and be Champions of Change.”

The virtual meetings will take place over the course of the day on Monday, Nov. 13, and will again utilize the Advocacy Associates platform used in AAHomecare’s three previous virtual legislative events.  AAHomecare and VGM are currently reaching out to selected advocates that match with the targeted offices as well as state and regional HME association leaders to recruit participants.

If you have previous advocacy experience and live/work in a state with a member of the Senate Finance Committee, or a district represented by a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee or Ways & Means Committee, and are available for meetings on Nov. 13, please contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for more details.

From Our Experts

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. Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award thumbnail Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award Last week, during the 2025 AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, Mike Hamilton, Executive Director of ADMEA, was honored with the prestigious Mal Mixon Advocate Award. VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference thumbnail VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference This week, VGM leaders attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., a premier event dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and advocacy. AAHomecare provided attendees with valuable insights, equipping them with key discussion points and strategies for effective meetings with legislators. Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia thumbnail Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia On Thursday, May 8, Paula Vineyard, owner of Elana Health & Loop Medical, took a pivotal step in healthcare advocacy by hosting a meeting with Tyler Ohrn, Field Representative for Congresswoman Carol Miller of West Virginia's First District. The hour-long discussion centered on the pressing need for congressional support of H.R. 2005. Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs thumbnail Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs The American Association for Homecare and VGM Group are seeking valuable insights from durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) manufacturers and vendor partners regarding tariffs imposed on certain countries. Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? thumbnail Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? This experience has increasingly become one of the most common questions we receive from our provider members as more and more payers move to narrow their provider networks. The reasons payers seek to narrow their networks are simple. Payers are highly motivated to achieve their goals while doing less work and are not required to allow providers into their networks unless there is a patient access issue. For those of you fortunate enough to be a part of a narrow network, this may not be much of