Sen. Thune Lands Senate Majority Leader Role While Support for H.R.5555 and S.1294 Continues

Published in Government Relations on November 13, 2024

In a significant development, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has been chosen as the new Senate Majority Leader, replacing Mitch McConnell. This is excellent news for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry, as Sen. Thune has been a steadfast legislative supporter of the industry. 

_{Cindy Coy of Avera and Rose Schafhauser of MAMES speak with Sen. Thune in Sioux Falls, SD (August 2024)} 

_{AAHomecare Fly-In in 2016} 

_{Event with Sen. Thune in Sioux Falls, SD} 

_{AAHomecare Fly-In 2018} 

We extend our gratitude to MAMES and DME suppliers in South Dakota for fostering this crucial relationship with Sen. Thune. Their efforts have been instrumental in securing a strong advocate for the DME industry in such a prominent position. Through their dedication and collaboration, we have been able to advance our shared goals and ensure that the needs and challenges of the DME community are effectively communicated.  

Sen. Thune’s leadership in introducing DME legislation over the years to improve accessibility, particularly in rural areas, has been particularly impactful. Notably, his current Senate bill, S.1294, which extends the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for non-rural, non-CBA home medical equipment suppliers, stands out as a significant achievement. 

Dear Colleague Letter Closes: Continue Supporting H.R. 5555 and S.1294 in End-of-Year Package 

The Dear Colleague letter supporting H.R.5555 and S.1294 closed on Friday, Nov. 8, with 33 signatures. You can view the letter and all signatures here. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) authored the letter, advocating for the reestablishment of the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for DME in non-rural, non-competitive bid areas for 2025. 

Thank you to everyone who contacted their member(s) of Congress to support this letter. If your representative signed the letter, please send them a thank you note! 

We hope that the H.R. 5555/S.1294 legislation will be included in any end-of-year package. While it remains uncertain whether such a package will be presented before the end of the year, it is crucial to advocate for this legislation now. If your representative has not yet signed on to these bills, please reach out to them today. We’ve made it easy for you! Click here to send a message to your member(s) of Congress and Senator, urging them to support H.R.5555/S.1294. 

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