VGMHealthcare MSO
Full Menu

Wrapping Up a Successful VGM Heartland Conference & State Leader Summit

Published in VGM Government Relations on June 12, 2026

One of our busiest and without a doubt, one of our favorite weeks of the year is the VGM Heartland Conference. This year kicked off with a special opportunity to bring together DME state association leaders from across the country for a dedicated pre-conference State Leader Summit. The focus was simple but impactful: collaboration, idea sharing, and real conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today. 

These leaders are truly at the heart of the DME industry. They are the ones advocating at the state level, supporting providers on the ground, and finding ways to move the industry forward despite ongoing challenges. Bringing them together in one room created an energy you just can’t replicate, built on shared goals, mutual support, and a commitment to doing better. 

As Heartland Conference officially got underway, that same energy was carried throughout the week. From educational sessions to networking conversations, the focus remained on connection, learning, and strengthening the industry as a whole. 

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in both the State Leader Summit and Heartland Conference. Your engagement, insights, and willingness to collaborate are what make these events so meaningful. 

The best part? Beyond the ideas and takeaways, this group continues to build something even stronger: relationships—the kind of relationships that turn colleagues into trusted resources and, over time, great friends. 

Thank you to the dedicated leaders and healthcare advocates who made the not-always-easy trek to Iowa. If you’re not a member of your state’s DME association, you’re truly missing out and highly encourage you to join.

State Leader Summit

(L to R back Nancy Nittler of CAMPS, Stephanie Legree of AAHomecare, Bill Fredericks of HOMES, Barb Stockert of PAMES and Big Sky AMES, Mindy Eberhart of PAMS, Mary Schafhauser of MAMES, Jeremy Stolz CEO of VGM)

VGM Group State Leader Summit

(Front Adam Miller of VGM, Larry Dalton of OMEPA, Emily Kettman of VGM, Leigh Ann Matthews of ADMEA Ike Isaacson of VGM and Beth Bowen of ACMESA, FAHCS, and NEMEP)

State Leader Summit

(Stephanie Robinson of VGM, Laura Williard of AAHomcare, Emily Kettman of VGM, Mindy Eberhart of PAMS, Barb Stockert of PAMES and Big Sky AMES, Stephanie Legree of AAHomecare.)

State Leader Summit

(Legislative Update with Adam Miller of VGM, Wayne Grau of NCART, Jay Witter of AAHomecare and Ike Isaacson of VGM)

State Leader Summit

(Lobbying at the state level with guests former Senator Jeff Danielson, Rep. Timi Brown-Powers and lobbyist Justin Humpfer of Policy Works)

From Our Experts

HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections thumbnail HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections As policymakers at both the federal and state levels continue to shape healthcare policy, it is more important than ever for HME suppliers to stay informed and engaged. Decisions made by elected officials can have a significant impact on patient access to care, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and the future of the home medical equipment industry. Showing Up...It Matters! thumbnail Showing Up...It Matters! We've all heard the phrase, "Showing up matters." That can mean a lot of different things at different times in our lives, even changing daily. Perhaps it means leaving work early to attend your children's event. Maybe it means not missing that important meeting at work. No doubt, both of those things are important. For us here in the Government Relations corner of VGM Group, it means something additional. Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment thumbnail Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment In every industry, there are people who do more than simply lead organizations. They inspire progress, build relationships, and create lasting change. In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, Matthew Flatt, CEO of Medicap Home Medical (formerly NuCara Home Medical) and President of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES), is one of those individuals... Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 thumbnail Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) have introduced the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act, legislation designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries who rely on ostomy and urological supplies. The bill would... Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies thumbnail Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare competitive acquisition programs for five years... CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows... Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory thumbnail Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory The signing of AB 1794 is another reminder of the critical role state associations play in shaping healthcare policy, removing barriers to patient care, and ensuring providers have a seat at the table when important decisions are made. Legislative successes like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of engaged members, strong advocacy efforts, and collaboration with policymakers to address real-world challenges facing providers and the patients they serve. S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate thumbnail S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 has passed in the Senate through unanimous consent. It now heads to the President to be signed into law. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), The Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 would...