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AAHomecare Issues 'Call to Arms' Apr 9, 2007 4:31 PM ARLINGTON, Va.--On Tuesday, the day after CMS issued its final rule on competitive bidding for Medicare DMEPOS business, the American Association for Homecare put out an appeal to the industry in general to "stand up for home care" and join its ranks. In the form of an open letter signed by more than two dozen providers and manufacturers, reflecting a full range of its members in terms of size, types of services and equipment, and geographic distribution, the association's "call to arms" reads: Dear Colleague: It's time to stand up for home care. The continuing assaults on home care by Congress, the administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have reached a point where the home care community absolutely must fight back with a unified voice. With a new Congress, it is a perfect opportunity for our entire industry to become fully engaged and to sharpen our advocacy. We have seen progress toward collaboration across the home care sectors. The industry can be proud of a growing number of true champions in the House and Senate who understand the value of home care and what is at stake when the nation's home care infrastructure is weakened. But we still have a long way to go. Unless we unite and speak in a loud voice for better home care policy in Washington, we're in danger of seeing further erosion in the benefits and a severe access problem for patients. So we are asking you to take one simple step toward strengthening home care for America: Enhance the indusry's credibility and clout by joining the American Association for Homecare. By joining AAHomecare, you support and reinforce the leading voice for home care. The association represents you on Capitol Hill and before CMS and other federal agencies. AAHomecare is your lobbyist and your chief advocate. The association commissions important research that shapes the critical reimbursement policies coming out of Washington. It is a member-driven organization so your active participation and contributions to AAHomecare's political efforts promote greater credibility and muscle for the industry. It is widely understood that home care is the most cost-effective and preferred setting for health care in the United States. In a perfect world, that would translate into sound policy for home care. But to be heard in Washington, our industry must invest in AAHomecare and support our political efforts. We urge you to join AAHomecare and get involved in the organization that is your voice in Washington. For details, call Cheryl Bass-Briscoe at AAHomecare at (703) 535-1882, or e-mail AAHomecare President Tyler Wilson at tylerwilson@aahomecare.org. Sincerely, Access Diabetic Supply, Pompano Beach, FL Last month, the association announced it would drop its Home Health Council to focus exclusively on HME. "HME benefits are again targets for federal budget cuts and require undivided attention from the association in terms of government affairs, research, public relations and grassroots activities," said Tom Ryan, CEO of Homecare Concepts and AAHomecare chair. With 600 members operating 3,000 locations, the seven-year-old association will begin work on a formal response to CMS' final rule at a board meeting set for tomorrow, according to Michael Reinemer, vice president, communications and policy. For more on the association's efforts, visit www.aahomecare.org. |
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