VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

VGM Government and Great Lakes State Association attend Legislative Event in Indiana

Published in Government Relations on July 15, 2022

Earlier this week, VGM's John Gallagher, VP of Government relations, attended a legistlative event for former Indiana state senator and Congressional candidate for the US House of Representatives Erin Houchin hosted by Great Lakes state assocation.

As reported by Great Lakes State Association:

Great Lakes president Chuck Williams and his team hosted a site visit and meet-and-greet at Williams Bros. Healthcare Pharmacy location in Paoli, Indiana, for Erin Houchin, former Indiana state senator and Congressional candidate for the US House of Representatives. She is seeking election to serve Indiana’s 9th Congressional district replacing Rep. Trey Hollingsworth who announced he was not seeking re-election earlier this year. As a state senator, Ms. Houchin has been supportive of the HME industry and engaged on a number of issues related to the state’s Medicaid program working closely with Great Lakes. 

Group Photo

The event included representatives pictured left to right: Derek Johnson and Jennifer Lowe, RN with Williams Bros. Healthcare Pharmacy; Kevin Stewart, Community Health Network and Great Lakes past president; Chuck Williams, Executive VP of Williams Bros.; Senator Houchin; Kam Yuricich, Great Lakes executive director; John Gallagher, VP of Government Relations for The VGM Group and Josiah McSpadden, manager of Williams Bros. Healthcare Pharmacy's Paoli, Indiana, branch.

The discussion focused on the value of HME services and the operational and financial challenges providers experience today, especially those serving rural areas, due to increasing costs, supply chain disruption and labor shortages all while facing fixed reimbursement by payers. This is a difficult combination that risks patients' access to services at home. The group discussed the declining network of HME providers as evidenced by the most recent quarterly tracking report showing a 29% decline in the number of HME supplier locations in Indiana since Round 2 of the bidding program launched in July 2013.  

TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. state association
  3. vgm
  4. vgm government

Get Connected

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

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers thumbnail VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers This resource brings together key information frequently used by DMEPOS providers. Kentucky Governor Announces Reprieve from Previously Announced Kentucky Medicaid 4% Rate Cut thumbnail Kentucky Governor Announces Reprieve from Previously Announced Kentucky Medicaid 4% Rate Cut The administration expects the surplus funding to sustain current reimbursement levels through June 2027. NAAOP and OPGA Co-Host Second Annual In-Person Legislative Fly-In thumbnail NAAOP and OPGA Co-Host Second Annual In-Person Legislative Fly-In Last week, over 30 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P profession convened at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics' (NAAOP) second annual in-person legislative fly-in. Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ thumbnail Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ On Nov. 28, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans for Round 2028 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). If you plan to bid, the time to prepare is now... What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act thumbnail What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act Medicare Advantage prior authorization continues to be one of the most significant operational and patient care challenges facing DMEPOS suppliers. A new bipartisan bill, H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, seeks to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight of Medicare Advantage prior authorization practices. This bill passed out of Ways & Means markup by a unanimous vote (42-0) on July 15... H.R. 1703 Advances, Bringing Greater Choice for Wheelchair Users thumbnail H.R. 1703 Advances, Bringing Greater Choice for Wheelchair Users The DMEPOS community, particularly wheelchair providers and users, should be celebrating an important victory as the House approved the Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703). North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 thumbnail North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 Earlier this year, it was announced that the North Carolina General Assembly has approved the state budget, securing an additional full two-year extension of the Medicaid fee schedule floor. This protection will now remain in effect until June 30, 2029, guaranteeing that reimbursement rates will continue to be set at 100% of the lesser of the supplier's usual and customary rate or the maximum allowable Medicaid fee-for-service rate. State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers thumbnail State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers Pursuant to the work and community engagement requirements included in H.R.1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule mandating a framework for Medicaid departments to follow when evaluating Medicaid beneficiary eligibility. Beginning no later than January 1, 2027, states must require certain adult Medicaid enrollees to demonstrate at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activity, which may include employment, education, or community...

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member