Washington

After weeks of partisan wrangling, conferees from the House and Senate have reached agreements on several of what they called “non-controversial” Medicare-reform issues, including expansion of the “homebound” definition.

With “glass-is-half-full” optimism, Conference Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., touted the accomplishment as a promising sign for the prospect of a final agreement. “We've made headway on scores of provisions in eight titles,” he said, “and I am pleased to announce nearly one-third of the Medicare bill has been resolved.”

But Thomas' fellow House Republicans were more inclined to point out the empty half of the glass when they sent a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. In the letter, conservatives warned they would vote against any compromise bill that does not include provisions for premium support and health care savings accounts — the same provisions that Senate Democrats recently vowed to defeat.

While obstacles to a prescription drug compromise continue to mount, at press time the conferees had set a late September schedule to consider home care provisions. “While our issues are on the docket … our lobbying and grassroots efforts will continue until a Medicare bill is passed or Congress adjourns — whichever comes first,” said Kay Cox, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare.

For now, industry leaders are watching and waiting. A Democratic congressional aide told reporters last month that the Medicare Conference could continue into November, and that “high-level” involvement from the White House could make or break the deal.

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