VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C.

Published in Government Relations on January 25, 2023

With the start of the 118th Congress and all members of Congress returning to D.C., VGM Government Relations' Tom Powers headed to Capitol Hill. While he was there, he was able to attend multiple productive meetings with key players in the DMEPOS industry. This trip was important for Powers because it allowed him to take the time to re-introduce VGM and our industry to our partners in Congress and plant the seed for upcoming bills that will be introduced, including the following:  

  • The Patient Equity Act (Custom Breast Prosthesis) 
  • The Medicare Orthotics & Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act 
  • The DMEPOS Relief Act 

Congressional members that he met with included Reps. Miller-Meeks, Feenstra, Williams, Slotkin, as well as Sens. Schumer, Duckworth, and Durbin. Attending these events is an important part of building relationships with these members of Congress. Over his many years with VGM, Tom has been able to use these relationships to help pass industry legislation and rules, and we appreciate his efforts.  

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services thumbnail Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services Today, we're proud to spotlight two outstanding durable medical equipment (DME) champions whose advocacy efforts are making a meaningful difference: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical of Alabama and Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services of New York. These individuals took time out of their busy schedules to personally connect with elected officials, demonstrating how local action can spark national change. Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes thumbnail Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes CQRC, VGM, and AAHomecare are requesting your feedback on a new proposed rule that could significantly impact accreditation procedures. Under the proposal, accreditation organizations would be required to conduct site visits every year—a major shift from the current once-every-three-years schedule. WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care thumbnail WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the NCD for Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the home setting for treating Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The changes aim to establish clear coverage policies for devices such as Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and home mechanical ventilators (HMVs), potentially expanding access to these critical therapies for eligible patients. Adapting to new CMS guidelin Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced thumbnail Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced In a timely move ahead of next week's NAAOP Legislative Fly-In, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, a bill aimed at improving access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries. The Patient-Centered Care Act seeks to address critical gaps in Medicare coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services. Under current rules, beneficiaries may receive devices without the necessary clinical services Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process thumbnail Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process The recently released proposed rule CMS-1828-P contains a significant change that could reshape how suppliers navigate accreditation. The rule proposes a major change that would require suppliers to be surveyed and reaccredited annually instead of the current three (3) year cadence. This proposal raises substantial questions about both operational feasibility and cost implications. August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress thumbnail August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress It's time to take advantage of August Of Action—a perfect opportunity to make your voice heard. Every summer, federal legislators return to their home states during the Congressional recess. While it gives them a break from Washington D.C., it's primarily a time for them to connect with constituents like you. HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature thumbnail HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature After extensive negotiations and partisan debate, the House has officially passed HR1, clearing the path for the bill to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation, which aims to reduce federal healthcare expenditures, contains several provisions that may impact the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) industry. CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program On June 30, 2025, CMS filed the anticipated Proposed Rule that includes updates to the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Public comments are due 60 days from June 30, 2025. Below is a high-level summary of the rule. It is critical to note that, according to the Proposed Rule Fact Sheet dated June 30, 2025, CMS has stated that they have not announced the specific product categories they are bidding or the specific timeframe for the next competition. Those specifics will be forthcoming in a fu

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member