Alexandria, Va. Backed by several national home health groups, the Home Care Coalition is mounting a drive to encourage lawmakers to support "meaningful home health payment reform" this year.

The letter campaign, which was launched in October, asks members of Congress to support legislation that would, among other things, eliminate consolidated billing for home medical equipment providers and home health agencies as well as the further 15 percent reduction in home health reimbursement set to take effect Oct. 1, 2000.-S.H.