>ATLANTA--When Congress returns to Washington in September, the House and Senate will put together a conference committee to hammer out a compromise bill on the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP.
Just before adjourning for their August recess, House members passed the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 3162) to expand the children's insurance program, which covers low-income children whose families don't qualify for Medicaid. (See HomeCare Monday, Aug. 6.)
Known as the CHAMP Act, the $50-billion bill would be financed by a 45-cent tobacco tax and Medicare cuts. Within the latter, the bill carries two onerous provisions for HME providers: an 18-month cap on oxygen rental (with the exception of new technology) and elimination of the first-month purchase option for power wheelchairs.
The Senate also passed a version of the bill, but its $35-billion SCHIP expansion would be financed by a tobacco tax of 61 cents and includes no Medicare issues.
According to Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare, Elyria, Ohio, it's unlikely that a workable compromise can be reached because of the vast political, policy and budget differences in the two versions of the bill. In addition, President Bush has said he will veto any version of SCHIP expansion that costs more than $5 billion.
That means, Bachehheimer said, the more likely outcome in Congress' wrangle over SCHIP could result in a small reauthorization of the program, which is set to expire Sept. 30, funded by a small tobacco tax.
However, she stressed, that doesn't mean the industry is off the hook.
Along with SCHIP, all of the industry-related bills Congress may consider are critical to the health not only of Medicare beneficiaries but also HME providers (see "Key Industry Bills Await Congressional Action" in this issue).
Bachenheimer urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity to educate lawmakers about HME while Congress is in recess. In terms of legislators' understanding of the issues, she continued, "There is no question that as an industry we are light years ahead of where we were five years ago, but you can never do enough."
The target on the industry's back won't go away until "policymakers are sure they are paying appropriately" for DME, she said.
Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Exeter, Pa.-based Pride Mobility Products, said now is the time for HME providers to attend the town hall meetings legislators traditionally sponsor during the recess or invite lawmakers to visit their businesses so they can learn more about the products, the industry and the people it serves.
Because it is hard to predict what might happen when Congress takes up the SCHIP legislation, Johnson said, it is crucial that providers talk to their legislators about getting the HME provisions excluded from the bill that will emerge from the conference committee.
Both Johnson and Bachenheimer said federal lawmakers pay attention when they hear from a number of constituents on any issue. "When they get 20 phone calls, it can make a difference," Bachenheimer said.
"The future of our industry and the future of this legislation is dependent on our grassroots efforts during August," Johnson said.
To contact members of Congress, call the U.S. Capitol
switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
