Meet The Candidates: Senate Hopeful Josh Turek Visits VGM Group To Champion Accessibility & Advocacy

Published in Government Relations on September 24, 2025

Waterloo, IA —On Monday, VGM Group hosted the first of our “Meet The Candidate” forums by welcoming Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Joni Ernst. 

Turek, who currently represents Iowa House District 20, is widely recognized for his advocacy on disability rights and healthcare reform. As a wheelchair user and two-time Paralympic gold medalist, he brings a deep personal perspective to issues affecting the disability community. 

During his time in the Iowa House, Turek led efforts to pass “right to repair” legislation for complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), aiming to eliminate bureaucratic barriers that delay essential wheelchair repairs for Medicaid recipients. 

Josh Turek Visits VGM

At his visit to VGM, Turek emphasized the importance of ensuring access to high-quality DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies) products and services. He also spoke about the broader implications of healthcare affordability, framing his campaign around “kitchen table issues” that resonate with everyday Iowans. 

Turek’s ability to connect across party lines—particularly in rural and working-class communities—has helped him build grassroots momentum. His blend of lived experience, legislative accomplishments, and pragmatic advocacy is drawing attention as the race for Iowa’s open Senate seat intensifies. 

For more information about Rep. Josh Turek and his campaign, visit https://turek4iowa.com

Josh Turek Visits VGM

The Champions of Campaign is expanding into Meet The Candidates as we get closer to the primary election season. This is a prime opportunity to engage with current and aspiring legislators—many of whom are eager to connect, share their stories, and learn about the issues that matter to you. What better time to introduce them to the HME industry and the impact it has? We encourage you to take advantage of these moments to build relationships and advocate for our shared priorities.  

If you’d like support along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to emily.kettman@vgm.com. And be sure to explore our Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit for helpful tips and resources. Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit: Creating Champions Of Change by VGM Group, Inc. - Issuu

From Our Experts

CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program On August 13, 2026, CMS posted several updated and new Fact Sheets and one new FAQ to the Bid Preparation Phase page on the CBIC website. Providers interested in submitting a bid for Round 2028 can find more program details, including the estimated number of contract awards, for each category. Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact thumbnail Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact AAHomecare is conducting a brief survey to help quantify the potential impact that Medicare's Remote Item Delivery (RID) model of Competitive Bidding would have on HME suppliers providing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, ostomy supplies, and/or urological supplies. Survey findings will be used to inform discussions with the White House, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Congress about the potential effects on supplier businesses, jobs, and patient... CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program's bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000).... VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers thumbnail VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers This resource brings together key information frequently used by DMEPOS providers. Kentucky Governor Announces Reprieve from Previously Announced Kentucky Medicaid 4% Rate Cut thumbnail Kentucky Governor Announces Reprieve from Previously Announced Kentucky Medicaid 4% Rate Cut The administration expects the surplus funding to sustain current reimbursement levels through June 2027. NAAOP and OPGA Co-Host Second Annual In-Person Legislative Fly-In thumbnail NAAOP and OPGA Co-Host Second Annual In-Person Legislative Fly-In Last week, over 30 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P profession convened at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics' (NAAOP) second annual in-person legislative fly-in. Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ thumbnail Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ On Nov. 28, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans for Round 2028 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). If you plan to bid, the time to prepare is now... What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act thumbnail What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act Medicare Advantage prior authorization continues to be one of the most significant operational and patient care challenges facing DMEPOS suppliers. A new bipartisan bill, H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, seeks to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight of Medicare Advantage prior authorization practices. This bill passed out of Ways & Means markup by a unanimous vote (42-0) on July 15...