Skip to main content

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

VGM Government has a Productive Week in Washington D.C.

Published in Government Relations on March 17, 2022

This week Tom Powers of VGM’s Government Relations team visited our nation’s capital. Discussions included HME legislation (HR6641, extension to the CARES Act), O&P Medicare Patient Centered Act, Custom Breast Prosthesis legislation as well as some forthcoming legislation on a tax credit and additional opportunities for seniors to remodel their home to age in place.

He was slotted to attend a fundraising event for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Unfortunately, the event was canceled at the last minute, but Tom was still able to have productive discussions with Sen. Duckworth’s Chief of Staff. The conversation confirmed that Duckworth and her staff are willing to be of assistance with DMEPOS issues.

Tom was also able to meet with the offices of Sen. Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Ernst (R-IA), Reps. Hinson (R-IA), Miller Meeks (R-IA), Axne (D-IA), Feenstra (R-IA), Crist (D-FL), Chu (D-CA), as well as staff from the White House and the Department of Transportation.

Tom’s meeting with the DOT was in regard to airlines damaging wheelchairs and injuring passengers when flying. U.S. Rehab and the DMERT group have been working to combat these issues with the DOT by potentially offering training to above and below wing airline workers. More information on that will be forthcoming.

As always, VGM Government Relations and Regulatory team will keep you updated as news arises.

From Our Experts

The PHE Will End May 11 thumbnail

The PHE Will End May 11 President Biden has announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11, 2023.

Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. thumbnail

Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. 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.

OIG Recommends 'High/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters thumbnail

OIG Recommends 'High/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters In this episode of Industry Matters, Alan Morris, Director of Research and Strategy for VGM Government Relations, and John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations, talk with Brian Leitten from Leitten Consulting, about a new study, "OIG Recommends 'High Risk/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters." The study looks at concerns and costs associated with reducing access to urinary catheters.

Additional HCPCS Codes Added to F2F/WOPD Required List thumbnail

Additional HCPCS Codes Added to F2F/WOPD Required List On Jan. 14, 2023, CMS released a public notice CMS-6088-N, adding 10 more HCPCS codes to the F2F/WOPD Required List.

Ronda Vlog: Recent Updates to the New Oxygen Policy thumbnail

Ronda Vlog: Recent Updates to the New Oxygen Policy Listen below as Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement gives the latest update on the new oxygen policy.

Republicans Announce New Members on Key Committees thumbnail

Republicans Announce New Members on Key Committees On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, the United States House Republican Select Committee met to announce the new Republican members appointed to various committees in the House. For the DME industry, there are three key committees of justification to work with.

PHE Renewed for Another 90 Days Pushing it to April 2023 thumbnail

PHE Renewed for Another 90 Days Pushing it to April 2023 On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced an extension of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). This extension will take us to April 2023. Be sure to read how this will effect the industry.

President Biden Signs Omnibus Bill Two Days Before The New Year thumbnail

President Biden Signs Omnibus Bill Two Days Before The New Year Yesterday, Dec. 29, 2023, President Biden signed the end-of-year omnibus bill. Within this bill, there is a language for the DMEPOS industry.

Together We Will Make Sure You Get Paid