NEMEP President John Quinlan Hosts Candidate Joe Sempolinski

Published in Government Relations on November 18, 2021

Yesterday, John Quinlan of Quinlan’s Pharmacy hosted an event with candidate Joe Sempolinski, who is running in New York’s 23rd district replacing Tom Reed, who is not seeking another term in 2022.

Quinlan and the group discussed DMEPOS concerns with the candidate, including the need to release the DMEPOS Final Rule and extend Cares Act reimbursement for non-rural and rural areas, and to establish new rates for competitive bid areas due to increased costs of equipment, PPE, surcharges, and increased labor costs. The group also discussed the need to fix the supply chain issues at our ports and create a plan to manufacture more in the USA.

Event with candidate Joe Sempolinski

(Represented from left to right: John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations; State Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes; John Quinlan, President of NEMEP and Quinlan's Pharmacy & Medical Supply; Eric Worden, Quinlan’s Medical Equipment Director of DME Operations; Candidate Joe Sempolinski for District 23; Kevin Greuber Quinlan’s Pharmacy Director of Operations; Dr. Chad Teeters, CEO UR Noyes Health and Medical Director of AHP; and Frank Steed, President of Gerould's Healthcare.)

John Gallagher also attended the event and reports, “I was very impressed with candidate Joe Sempolinski and the two hours he took listening, asking questions, taking notes, and trying to understand what is happening to healthcare access in his potential rural NY district.”

Gallagher adds, “John Quinlan did an outstanding job of inviting a diverse group of healthcare providers (hospital administrator, pharmacy, DME, nursing, etc.) to discuss what is happening with supply chain, staffing, and Medicare & Medicaid issues. It is critical that we as an industry follow John Quinlan’s lead and educate early on future political leaders on DME and how we are an integral cog in the continuum of quality, post-acute healthcare!”

Thank you to all who attended and/or supported this event.


TAGS

  1. state association
  2. vgm government

From Our Experts

Shutdown Ends, Telehealth Prevails as Pres. Trump Signs Funding Bill thumbnail Shutdown Ends, Telehealth Prevails as Pres. Trump Signs Funding Bill The four-day partial federal government shutdown officially ended on Feb. 3, 2026, after President Donald Trump signed a $1.2 trillion funding package that reopens most federal agencies and restores key programs. CMS Releases New HCPCS thumbnail CMS Releases New HCPCS The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update adding eight new oxygen HCPCS codes to the Required Face-to-Face and Written Order Prior to Delivery List and adding five new orthoses and two HCPCS codes to the Required Prior Authorization List. The changes go into effect April 13, 2026. Meet the Candidates: Rep. Ashley Hinson Visits VGM During U.S. Senate Campaign thumbnail Meet the Candidates: Rep. Ashley Hinson Visits VGM During U.S. Senate Campaign Waterloo, Iowa — On Wednesday, VGM Group welcomed employees, local DME suppliers, and community guests for the latest installment of its Meet the Candidates series. The featured guest was Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who currently represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District and is now running for the U.S. Senate following Sen. Joni Ernst's decision not to seek reelection in 2026. Grassroots Accountability Program Wants YOU! Become a DMEPOS Advocate thumbnail Grassroots Accountability Program Wants YOU! Become a DMEPOS Advocate Are you interested in politics or curious about how government really works behind the scenes The Grassroots Accountability Program (GAP) is a great opportunity to expand your civic knowledge, build meaningful relationships with your state and federal legislators, and make a direct impact on the future of the DMEPOS industry. CMS Issues FAQ On DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Issues FAQ On DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a DMEPOS CBP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) providing clarification on several points of the next round. Medicare Advantage Plans Are in Flux: What Providers Should Know thumbnail Medicare Advantage Plans Are in Flux: What Providers Should Know As reported by HME News WASHINGTON – Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will face new restrictions in 2026 that could force insurers to rethink their business models, according to payer relations experts. While these changes don't directly impact home medical equipment (HME) providers today, they could influence future plan design and reimbursement strategies. BOC Reinstated As Approved Accrediting Organization thumbnail BOC Reinstated As Approved Accrediting Organization As reported by HME News: Court grants company's motion for temporary restraining order against CMS OWINGS Mills, MD.—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has been reinstated as an approved accrediting organization (AO) in all but four states, the company has announced. Click here to read the full article from HME News. The federal court has granted a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) in favor of BOC…thereby restoring BOC as an accrediting organization in all states except N DMEPOS Bills Gaining Momentum thumbnail DMEPOS Bills Gaining Momentum Fresh off a great House Energy & Commerce Health Sub-Committee hearing, now is the perfect time to reach out to your representative(s) and ask them to support the DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005; Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, H.R. 1703; and the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025, H.R. 2902.