Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

Spotlighting Champions of Change: Meetings with Rep. Blake Moore and Sen. Patty Murray's Staff

Published in Government Relations on October 28, 2024

We are proud to recognize two HME suppliers and VGM members who have recently taken the initiative to engage with their legislators and staff members.

Moore

_{Rep. Blake Moore (center) with Alpine Medical in Ogden, UT}

Alpine Home Medical hosted Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) at their Ogden, UT location last week. CEO Jay Broadbent reported that Rep. Moore was highly informed and supportive of DMEPOS legislation. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Moore is already a co-sponsor of H.R. 5555.

Olympic

^{Sen. Patty Murray's staff (center) with Olympic Pharmacy in Gig Harbor, WA}

Olympic Pharmacy in Gig Harbor, WA, welcomed Juan Beltran-Gonzalez, a staff member of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), for a facility tour and discussion of DMEPOS legislation, S. 1294. Sen. Murray plays a crucial role in healthcare legislation, serving on both the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee.

These events exemplify how HME suppliers can effectively educate their legislators on DMEPOS issues and become champions of change. This grassroots advocacy is essential for the passage of DMEPOS legislation, and we encourage all HME suppliers to engage with their legislators to garner the necessary support.

How to Gain Legislative Support for DMEPOS Legislation

Engaging with your legislators is crucial for gaining support for DMEPOS legislation. Here are some effective strategies:

Invite them to your office: Offer a tour and arrange a meeting to discuss the importance of DMEPOS legislation.

Request an in-person meeting: Schedule a visit to their office to present your case directly.

Attend public events: Approach them at state or town fairs and discuss the issues face-to-face.

Reach out to their staff: Contact their staff members to request their support.

The period after elections but before the new administration takes over, known as the “lame duck” period, is a unique opportunity. Outgoing politicians can make decisions with little fear of consequence, making it an ideal time to seek additional support for DMEPOS legislation. We are optimistic that an end-of-the-year package will include the DMEPOS bill.

For assistance in connecting with your legislator, please contact Emily Harken at Emily.Harken@vgm.com.

TAGS

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

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member