VGM's Ike Isaacson Gets 'Revved Up'

Published in Government Relations on November 07, 2023

This article was originally posted on hmenews.com

WATERLOO, Iowa – A singular focus and a singular voice: That’s what it takes to get the HME industry’s message across to both lawmakers and regulators, says Mike “Ike” Isaacson, who was recently named senior vice president of government relations at VGM & Associates. 

Isaacson and the team at VGM currently have a goal of scheduling 55 visits with legislators or their staffers in 55 days in a final push to get H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 passed in Congress.   

“The more we can come together in that unified voice, the harder it is (for policymakers) not do something,” he said. “If we start with the patient experience, everybody agrees that we need to provide the best patient experience possible. The methodology may be different, but the ultimate goal is the same. I get a little revved up about that.” 

Isaacson spoke with HME News recently about trusting the political process, even if it means repetition. 

HME News: Prior to first joining VGM in 2017, you worked in advocacy for a non-profit. How has that had an impact on you? 

Ike Isaacson: (The non-profit) was a place that I could make a difference and help people live better, live more independently, and that really became my passion. I spent a great deal of my time doing training and just really setting people up to have a clear concise message, because a lot of people are intimidated or uncomfortable making that call. This industry has so many awesome stories just waiting to be told. That's what's probably the most exciting part about my new role: creating and telling those stories and helping people tell their stories to have the most impact on the system and on the industry. 

HME: You’ve said that you think the HME industry is in a really strong place right now. Can you elaborate on that? 

Isaacson: With all of the advances we’ve had in technology, business practices and the ability to reach the consumer, the opportunities are there. This industry is filled with super smart people that know the business inside and out that have been through the trenches, so to speak. I think as we emerge out of the chaos that was COVID and the supply chain issues, the industry as a whole is in a place that's more connected and more ready to aggressively follow a path of staking our claim as a vital part of the health care continuum. 

HME: The industry has several bills pending in the current session of Congress, some of which have been reintroduced several times over the years. How do you keep on going? 

Isaacson: It’s just part of the process. If it's in the best interest of the patient, if it's in the best interest of the provider community and if it's going to improve and advance health care, it's worth doing over and over again until we can get it right, until we get the right champion and build that critical mass. It can take four or five or seven years and it may be a completely different bill by the time you get it to where it needs to be. You're going to have to reach some compromise and consensus and continue to work and chip away at the edges until you hit that right mix of people and policy.

From Our Experts

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program On June 30, 2025, CMS filed the anticipated Proposed Rule that includes updates to the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Public comments are due 60 days from June 30, 2025. Below is a high-level summary of the rule. It is critical to note that, according to the Proposed Rule Fact Sheet dated June 30, 2025, CMS has stated that they have not announced the specific product categories they are bidding or the specific timeframe for the next competition. Those specifics will be forthcoming in a fu Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval thumbnail Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval President Donald Trump's sweeping legislative package, formally titled the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, now referred to as HR1., cleared the Senate today in a dramatic 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill now returns to the House, where lawmakers must decide whether to adopt the Senate's revised version or negotiate further changes before it can reach the president's desk. Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule thumbnail Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised this week that multiple Medicaid provisions in the Senate's reconciliation bill would violate Senate procedure by violating the Byrd Rule. The Byrd Rule is a Senate-specific procedural process that allows Senators to prevent or block inclusion of extraneous provisions in reconciliation bills. Other provisions are still under review. Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract thumbnail Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract In our last article, Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What?, we discussed strategies for addressing payer contracting denials due to a closed network. As indicated, this process can be an extremely time-consuming exercise with no guarantees and mixed results. Below are a few things to consider as you evaluate whether a contract is worth the extra effort. Webinar: Webinar: "Navigating The New CMS Landscape: RADs, HMVs, and Supplier Survival" on June 25 at 1 p.m. CT. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final National Coverage Determination (NCD) for RADs and HMVs used in treating chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. While the rule potentially expands access to bilevel ST therapy (RADs), it also introduces complex compliance requirements, tighter usage criteria, and increased documentation burdens—without additional reimbursement. The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July. Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM. Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people.