CAMPS Licensure Bill Moving Closer to Reality Sacramento, Calif. A bill championed by the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers that would implement licensure of home medical equipment providers has moved successfully through the state Assembly and should come before the Senate by July 16, CAMPS officials said.

"What we've tried to do with this [bill] is add to the existing definition of who must be licensed as a home medical equipment provider," said Robert Achermann, CAMPS executive director, adding that the association expects the bill to pass.

He said a main intent of licensure is to curb fraud and abuse. "A major problem in California is fraud. We think a part of it could be solved by upfront licensing where a background check and concurrent on-site review would take place. It's a good means of requiring standards in a business."

The licensing process would make it difficult for fly-by-night businesses to bill government and private insurance because they would be required to provide information to the Board of Pharmacy, which would oversee the program. The board opposes the bill on grounds that, in the eight years it has licensed medical device retailers, it has not received complaints from patients regarding services and equipment. Board officials also recommended that, because the bill's intent is to combat Medi-Cal fraud, licensing and regulation of HME providers should be under the auspices of the Department of Health Services, which is responsible for the Medi-Cal program.

Among other requirements, the bill would require all HME providers to have 24-hour emergency service. It would also allow current members exemption from extraneous fees caused by renewing several licenses, officials said.

New York State Senate Committee to Review Wheelchair Warranty Bill New York A wheelchair warranty bill pushed by the New York Medical Equipment Providers Association and supported by Assemblyman Steven Sanders has cleared the New York Assembly and awaits review by the state Senate Consumer Protection Committee. The bill seeks to protect consumers by requiring manufacturers to provide a one-year warranty on all wheelchairs, by beefing up standards and by replacing defective equipment.

Jim Carr of NYMEP's public affairs office said the association is concerned that the bill will not make it through the Senate. "The reason it has not passed the Senate yet is because we lack an advocate and [Senate] sponsor. Without one, the bill will probably not get farther than where it is," Carr said.

Under the provisions of the bill, government agencies, HME companies and Medicaid programs would be defined as "consumers" of wheelchairs to allow them the ability to enforce the warranty law provisions. According to Carr, manufacturers failing to comply with the warranty law would be subject to alternate arbitration under the New York state attorney general's office.

The warranty bill would also require payers such as Medicaid to cover repairs, thus offering financial relief to end-users.