NEMEP President John Quinlan Hosts Candidate Joe Sempolinski

Published in VGM 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

The Elections Are Over. Democrats Control Congress. What Now? thumbnail The Elections Are Over. Democrats Control Congress. What Now? The votes have been counted, the campaign signs are finally coming down, and Democrats will enter 2027 controlling both the House and the Senate. While election outcomes always grab the headlines, what matters most for the home medical equipment industry is what happens next. HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections thumbnail HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections As policymakers at both the federal and state levels continue to shape healthcare policy, it is more important than ever for HME suppliers to stay informed and engaged. Decisions made by elected officials can have a significant impact on patient access to care, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and the future of the home medical equipment industry. Showing Up...It Matters! thumbnail Showing Up...It Matters! We've all heard the phrase, "Showing up matters." That can mean a lot of different things at different times in our lives, even changing daily. Perhaps it means leaving work early to attend your children's event. Maybe it means not missing that important meeting at work. No doubt, both of those things are important. For us here in the Government Relations corner of VGM Group, it means something additional. Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment thumbnail Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment In every industry, there are people who do more than simply lead organizations. They inspire progress, build relationships, and create lasting change. In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, Matthew Flatt, CEO of Medicap Home Medical (formerly NuCara Home Medical) and President of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES), is one of those individuals... Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Supply Bill H.R. 10787 thumbnail Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Supply Bill H.R. 10787 Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) have introduced the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act, legislation designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries who rely on ostomy and urological supplies. The bill would... Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Supplies thumbnail Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Supplies The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare competitive acquisition programs for five years... CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 thumbnail CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows... Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory thumbnail Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory The signing of AB 1794 is another reminder of the critical role state associations play in shaping healthcare policy, removing barriers to patient care, and ensuring providers have a seat at the table when important decisions are made. Legislative successes like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of engaged members, strong advocacy efforts, and collaboration with policymakers to address real-world challenges facing providers and the patients they serve.