Editor's Inbox

Oh, Man …

No sooner is the 36-month cap not even digested than [the president's 2007 budget] would bring a 13-month cap on oxygen. The net effect [is] that the clock is ticking, and there may be just [a few] months left of reimbursement before we not only have a huge cut in cash flow but a net loss of all of our equipment, since the title will shift to the patient.

For the folks on oxygen, oh, man. They are on their own. This kills many a vendor plan as well, with lots of newer technology getting priced right out of the market. Net effect, the consumer gets junk and zero service.

I've got a number of years invested in my business as well as years being a respiratory therapist. It's amazing to watch the meltdown of this part of the system.
— Bill Baker, RRT, president, RxO2 Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

Let's Get Hobson-Tanner Rolling

I know that everyone's attention is focused on the 36-month oxygen rental cap right now, but I don't want the Hobson-Tanner bill to be lost in the shuffle. The small companies that are in the home care industry really need to get behind this [legislation]. It was introduced in July and we need at least 200 co-sponsors to get this thing rolling.

We need providers all over the country to contact their local representatives and get them involved. I think a huge problem is that people don't want to take time away from running their business, [but] competitive bidding is coming, and this bill [would lessen] the blow to smaller providers.

You cannot afford to be on the outside looking in when competitive bidding comes to your town.
— Brennen Garry, senior operations manager, Unimed Medical, Olathe, Kan.

For information on the Hobson-Tanner bill (H.R. 3559), a list of current co-sponsors, talking points about the bill and a sample letter to congressmen in its support, visit the American Association for Homecare Web site at www.aahomecare.org. To learn more about Last Chance for Patient Choice, a 527 non-profit organization that plans to file a federal lawsuit against the competitive bidding provisions in the Medicare Modernization Act, visit www.lastchanceforpatients.org.

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A recent article in HomeCare indicated that [many providers responding to a survey] will not apply for accreditation.