ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--The American Association for Homecare's annual Legislative Fly-In next month will include a home oxygen technology fair to show lawmakers firsthand how patients actually use home oxygen equipment and to demonstrate some of the technologies currently available.

Scheduled June 19-20 in Washington, the event also will include meetings for providers and other HME stakeholders with their state's federal legislators.

According to Cara Bachenheimer, vice president, government relations, for Invacare Corp., most members of Congress "don't understand this is really a life-sustaining technology; it's not just a toaster that you plug into the wall. "Because some congressmen think that's all a concentrator is, she explained, "they also think 'sure, patients can take care of it,' and they can just call their Sears repairman when it breaks.

"They don't understand the FDA issues and the consumer safety issues--and they don't understand that when you're dealing with frail seniors you're placing a huge burden on them when you ask them to take care of this equipment."

The technology fair is an effort to raise the educational level of Congress members and their staffs "so they can really see what this whole thing is about," Bachenheimer said.

According to association Chair Tom Ryan, the fly-in is also an opportunity to combat a number of specific legislative challenges facing the industry and to make sure those who shape health care policy know that home care is a key part of the answer. He urged all stakeholders to take part in the fly-in and to "get involved."

"Right now, more than ever, we need as many boots on the street as possible," he said.

For information on the fly-in, visit www.aahomecare.org.