VGM Government Meets with Reps. Feenstra and Best at Choice Medical in Ames, IA.

Published in Government Relations on October 20, 2022

Choice Medical Event

On Monday, Oct. 17, Choice Medical in Ames, IA, held an event for Rep. Randy Feenstra. Discussions included support for H.R. 6641 and the extension of the CARES ACT DME provisions impacting Non-Rural Rates after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).   

Iowa State House Rep. Brian Best, the former owner of Best Home Medical in western Iowa, was also in attendance. 

Earlier this year, Feenstra completed his Ph.D. in Business and Healthcare Administration from Northcentral University, focusing specifically on healthcare outcomes and healthcare deserts in rural America.  He understands the importance of quality medical equipment and services, particularly how HME relates to rural America.  

Thank you Choice Medical for hosting this successful event!  

From Our Experts

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 Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage thumbnail Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage Congress is back in session after a two-week recess. Number one on the docket is figuring out the budget. The house is tasked with coming up with a $1.5 trillion reduction and a key committee is in the spotlight. The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! thumbnail The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 (or H.R. 2005) is bipartisan legislation that was recently introduced in Congress designed to increase reimbursement for a large percentage of HME providers across the country. This bill establishes a higher reimbursement rate (known as the 75/25 blended rate) for durable medical equipment in nonrural/noncompetitive bidding areas under Medicare until Dec. 31, 2025. Champion Of Change: Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients thumbnail Champion Of Change: Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients Today, we shine a spotlight on Lauryn Estrella, the dedicated Executive Director of Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) and a true Champion of Change in the HME industry. Ensuring Access To Care: The Fight For Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities thumbnail Ensuring Access To Care: The Fight For Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities Americans utilizing telehealth services to access healthcare is at an all-time high. It's a convenient method without having to leave the home, giving access to healthcare professionals from anywhere. It expands a patient's choice of provider and enables the provider the ability to see more patients. SOAR Act Takes Flight: Bipartisan Push To Improve Supplemental Oxygen Access And Medicare Protections thumbnail SOAR Act Takes Flight: Bipartisan Push To Improve Supplemental Oxygen Access And Medicare Protections The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act has been reintroduced in both the House and Senate. In the House, the bipartisan H.R. 2902 was introduced by Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Gabe Evans (R-CO). Meanwhile, in another show of bipartisan support, S1406, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Melanie Ewald Joins VGM Government Relations Team As VP Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement thumbnail Melanie Ewald Joins VGM Government Relations Team As VP Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the addition of Melanie Ewald as Vice President Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement. VGM Host DME State Leaders Summit, NIV comment period closes this Thursday, Tariffs, Telehealth, Great Lakes Annual Conference thumbnail VGM Host DME State Leaders Summit, NIV comment period closes this Thursday, Tariffs, Telehealth, Great Lakes Annual Conference Last week, VGM had the privilege of hosting the State Leaders Summit 2025—a gathering that united passionate and dedicated leaders from across the country. These remarkable professionals, representing the very best of the DMEPOS industry, brought their energy, expertise, and compassion to the heart of the Midwest for an event that will be remembered for years to come.