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.  

From Our Experts

Government Relations: Speak With One Voice thumbnail Government Relations: Speak With One Voice The DMEPOS industry must show a unified front, speak with a unified voice, and together be champions of change. Clarification on Standard Written Orders thumbnail Clarification on Standard Written Orders Recently the DME MACs released a Dear Physician Letter that clarified language on a standard written order (SWO) specifically related to CPAP masks. While the article was great news being welcomed by the industry, it also initiated additional conversation for other PAP supplies such as interfaces and tubing. Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter Be sure to watch this update from Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, where she gives updates on the change to the refill requirement, effective Jan. 1, 2024 and the Dear Physician letter released in February. Change Health Resources thumbnail Change Health Resources VGM recognizes that many of our members in the DMEPOS provider community have been negatively impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare that occurred on February 21, 2024. We continue to monitor the situation and promote the creation of resources to help providers navigate through this with as little negative impact to their business as possible. Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit thumbnail Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit The VGM State Leaders Summit concluded in early February at the VGM headquarters in Waterloo, IA. State leaders from home medical equipment (HME) state associations traveled to Waterloo to collaborate on their priorities for 2024 and find ways to enhance their associations. Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate thumbnail Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate Watch this video update from VGM's Ike Isaacson on the importance of the 75/25 blended rate. Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! thumbnail Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! Kim Cuce explains how to identify the root causes of issues that DMEPOS providers often face. Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief thumbnail Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief As government funding negotiations continue, our 75/25 blended-rate provision is at stake. Let's unite our voices and secure the relief our HME community needs.