VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference

Published in Government Relations on May 15, 2025

This week, VGM leaders attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., a premier event dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and advocacy. AAHomecare provided attendees with valuable insights, equipping them with key discussion points and strategies for effective meetings with legislators. 

During the conference, VGM leaders met with all four Iowa Representatives' offices, including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the lead Republican on H.R. 2005, DMEPOS Relief Act. These discussions focused on strategizing ways to garner support for H.R. 2005 and navigate the path to successful passage. 

The VGM team also engaged with Iowa’s Senate delegation, meeting with the offices of Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst, to further discuss legislative priorities and industry challenges. 

(Jim Nygren, President of VGM Insurance; Rep. Mariannette Miller- Meeks; Blake Thelander, Health Policy Director for Rep. Miller-Meeks; Lindy Tentinger, President of VGM & Associates; Ike Isaacson, SVP of VGM Government Relations; Adam Miller, VP of VGM Government Relations; and Jeremy Stolz, CEO of VGM.)

(Jim Nygren, President of VGM Insurance; Rep. Mariannette Miller- Meeks; Blake Thelander, Health Policy Director for Rep. Miller-Meeks; Lindy Tentinger, President of VGM & Associates; Ike Isaacson, SVP of VGM Government Relations; Adam Miller, VP of VGM Government Relations; and Jeremy Stolz, CEO of VGM.) 

The group also met with Sen. James Lankford (R-OK). Sen. Lankford spoke to the group at a breakfast event Tuesday morning. He committed to being a supporter of the forthcoming Senate companion bill to H.R. 2005 

(Jeremy Stolz, Lindy Tentinger, Adam Miller, Sen. Lankford (R-OK), Ike Isaacson, and Jim Nygren)

(Jeremy Stolz, Lindy Tentinger, Adam Miller, Sen. Lankford (R-OK), Ike Isaacson, and Jim Nygren) 

These advocacy efforts highlight VGM’s commitment to shaping healthcare policy and ensuring the needs of the industry are represented at the highest levels. 

“VGM is proud to stand alongside our partners, advocating for strong home healthcare for all,” said Ike Isaacson. “Promoting the need for equitable reimbursement, fair regulation, and focusing on quality care, our industry is the tip of the spear for healthcare at home. It was an incredible experience seeing so many of our membership walking the halls of Congress, advocating for the industry and for those they serve. Thanks to all for being Champions of Change!” 

Get Connected

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

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

You Got the Contract! …NOW WHAT?! A Short Series thumbnail You Got the Contract! …NOW WHAT?! A Short Series Congratulations! You FINALLY got the contract you've been working so hard on all these months. Now that you have it, what are the critical next steps you need to take to maintain and implement the contract and generate ROI? Welcome to the first of a short series of articles to help you accomplish just that. NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In thumbnail NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In Last week, 33 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P industry 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's (NAAOP) first ever in-person legislative fly-in. Co-sponsored by OPGA, the fly-in kicked off with an in-depth discussion and strategy session surrounding several legislative priorities affecting O&P providers and patients. VGM Government Relations Unveils Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit to Empower DME Champions of Change thumbnail VGM Government Relations Unveils Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit to Empower DME Champions of Change The VGM Government Relations team is proud to announce the launch of its Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit, thoughtfully crafted to support durable medical equipment (DME) professionals, caregivers, industry partners, and patient advocates in advancing legislative initiatives that impact home medical equipment and services. 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.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member