Alexandria, Va.

The staff of the American Association for Homecare breathed a collective sigh of relief Nov. 22, after the Senate ended a congressional session rife with legislative landmines for the home care industry.

Lawmakers did not address the issue of national competitive bidding for home medical equipment, nor did they repeal the 15 percent cut in home health reimbursements. However, Congress likely will address Medicare provider issues early in the 108th session, which begins after the New Year, Connaughton said.

The government currently is funded only through Jan. 11, he explained. Consequently, lawmakers must pass a continuing resolution before Jan. 11 to keep the government operating.

“We don't know whether they will try to deal with provider issues in that January funding bill,” Connaughton said.

“Certainly, the powerful American Medical Association will continue to push for passage of physician giveback legislation, but whether this Medicare momentum will extend to home care is anyone's best guess,” Connaughton continued. “Some say [lawmakers] will deal with doctors' issues alone. Some say they will deal with doctors' issues and other provider issues, and some say they will not deal with any Medicare issues until they address [prescription drugs],” he explained. “Nobody in town knows the answer.”

In light of these uncertainties, AAHomecare's leaders and board of directors now are working to develop a consensus on how to proceed during the 108th Congress, Connaughton said. Certain to be a part of AAHomecare's strategy is a continued, unflagging commitment to the defeat of NCB, he concluded.

Despite a holiday reprieve, competitive bidding is sure to be on the legislative table during the 108th Congress, and David Williams, director of government relations for Elyria, Ohio-based Invacare said the measure's passage is inevitable. “The bottom line is that … NCB legislation will be passed by Congress and signed into law,” he predicted.

Williams pointed to the fact that the midterm elections left in place some powerful proponents of NCB, including Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., who retained control of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who become chairman of the Senate's Finance Committee.

For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.