WATERLOO, Iowa (June 3, 2014)—VGM Government Relations and People for Quality Care will host a town hall forum for the general public to discuss health care concerns to share with congressional staff members during VGM’s Heartland Conference. “Caring for the Aging and Disabled: How Investing in DME Saves the Government Money and Provides Better Care for Americans” will take place June 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. CST in the Corral Room at the Ramada Hotel, 205 W. Fourth St., Waterloo, Iowa.

EXETER, Pa. (June 3, 2014)—Pride Mobility Products announced the hiring of Rick Michael as national sales manager, retail mobility. As a 15-year veteran of the mobility industry, Michael is widely known for helping providers tap into and expand upon market potentials. “Retail mobility is a winning strategy in today’s mobility marketplace,” says Andrew Pyrih, senior vice president of domestic sales for Pride Mobility.

KLEVE, Germany (May 28, 2014)—Medline International Germany GmbH and Kleve Mayor Theodor Brauer break ground for the construction of Medline’s new warehouse. Medline, a provider of surgical and medical products worldwide, is tripling the size of its current European distribution center. This expansion comes as a response to growing demand for its products and services and growth plans for Eastern Europe, including the expansion of the company’s integrated logistics services.

WASHINGTON (June 5, 2014)—AAHomecare announced that Steve Ackerman, president and CEO of Spectrum Medical, Inc., has joined the AAHomecare Executive Committee in the position of treasurer. Alan Landauer, chairman of Landauer Metropolitan, Inc., has stepped down from his post as treasurer and will remain a member of the AAHomecare Board of Directors. “Alan is well-known for his commitment to the home care community,” said AAHomecare president and CEO Tom Ryan.

SARASOTA, Fla. (May 20, 2014)—Drew McCartney was appointed as president and CEO of Harmar succeeding Chad Williams, Harmar’s founder, president and CEO who has been with the company since 1998. Williams will remain with Harmar as a member of the board of directors. "During his tenure as CEO, Williams built Harmar into one of the preeminent manufacturers of mobility and accessibility products in the United States.

On May 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Change Request (CR) 8636, updating the procedures used in the surety bond collection process for durable medical equipment suppliers. The CR 8636 revised procedures for suppliers in making a claim against a surety bond.

June 26, 2014 (All day) Columbus, Ohio oames.org OAMES 5th Annual Summer Camp is an educational program that offers a mid-year training and networking opportunity for the billing topics your administrative staff is managing. This year’s event will be held June 26 in Columbus at the Quest Business Center.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 5, 2014)—The 13th edition of the VGM Group, Inc.’s Heartland Conference invites attendees to “Define Your Future” during four days of education and networking in downtown Waterloo. Nearly 1,000 home medical equipment providers, vendors, speakers and industry friends are expected at the annual event, which opens today with pre-conference educational sessions and a golf tournament, followed by a hog roast and fireworks display. The keynote address Tuesday morning will be pre

WATERLOO, Iowa (May 23, 2014)—Advocacy group People for Quality Care (PFQC) launched Dear Medicare, a website that features stories of seniors and people with disabilities who are being negatively impacted by health care policies. “We understand that many Americans are unaware that seniors and people with disabilities are struggling to access their medical equipment and care,” said Kelly Turner, PFQC director of advocacy.