Friendly lawmakers gave AAHomecare Legislative Conference attendees strong rallying calls before their lobbying visits to the Hill.
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“It's important to show that home care saves money,” said Rep. Mike Ross, D.-Ark., the only HME owner in Congress. He added that providers should contact their representatives and invite them to visit. “You've got to get that message out,” he urged.
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Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., who introduced H.R.1845, said support for the bill is growing. He noted it will take up to 100 cosponsors for the bill to gain attention in Congress.
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Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Congress has a full plate with issues including the war in Iraq, education and homeland security. But, he said, “you're on the right track being here in Washington. It's a crowded floor time, but … You've got to keep it up.”
After the conference, Specter wrote HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt asking CMS to exclude complex rehab from competitive bidding.
