Alabama Adopts State Licensure for HME Providers Birmingham, Ala. Home medical equipment providers in Alabama will soon have to be licensed, according to a state law that becomes effective Sept. 1. A board is being created to implement the program, establish standards, determine the qualifications of staff members, and establish fees and procedures, officials said.

"Once the bill officially becomes a law September 1, 2000, the five-member board will have a serious job of setting new standards for the industry in Alabama," said Michael Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association. "Companies will have to pay the $75 state license fee and pass an inspection."

ADMEA is responsible for supplying Gov. Don Siegelman with a list of qualified members from which five will be selected to serve on the board along with a consumer, a physician and representatives of the hospital and home health care arenas.

In other news, ADMEA focused on the HME business at its annual convention at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Ala. The event featured Lia Bunch, Palmetto GBA ombudsman, discussing workshops to be presented by the Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier at its headquarters in Columbia, S.C., and Brian Seeley, president of the Florida Association of Medical Equipment Services, and attorney Steve Azia discussing the Medicare competitive bidding demonstration project in Florida. Cara Bachenheimer of the American Association for Homecare gave a Washington update.

"The convention was great with a nice crowd, but after we discussed beneficiary abuse, reimbursement issues and other issues, we decided we wanted to make sure that next year's meeting is at the beach," Hamilton said.

Georgia Updates Linked Web Page Athens, Ga. The Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services has updated its Web page to allow for a greater exchange of information and services for providers and associations.

"People are actually able to list equipment they want to buy and sell," said Sue Rains, executive director of GAMES. "We have a one-page link at the site along with other associations, and people can now become members of GAMES or check out upcoming events all on our page." She said the site is free to navigate, and providers who sign up receive a confidential password.

The site is hosted by the HME WebNet site, www.HMEX.net.

WHO: The National Council on Disability

WHERE: www.ncd.gov

WHAT: As an independent federal agency, the National Council on Disability is a representative to the president on behalf of the 54 million Americans with disabilities. NCD's purpose is to promote policies and programs that endorse equal opportunity for disabled individuals.

The agency's Web site is a useful resource, designed to provide information on current issues concerning the disabled community. NCD Bulletins, dating as far back as 1997 and featuring an array of information, are posted on the site. You can subscribe via e-mail to the NCD Bulletin free of charge, and it is offered in several formats.

Also, the Youth/Family Information Page offers a history of specific initiatives such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights. Two pages of federal agency links make connecting with various government offices simple. There is also a calendar of events and conferences where the council will be present.

All in all, the NCD site offers crucial information in a simple, user-friendly format.