Forget pulse-pounding summer action thrillers. this July, many would say the real action was watching Congress consider the home health care provisions within the Medicare legislation.

Buried in the hundreds of pages of the Senate and House bills were tremendously important provisions for home health care—such as competitive bidding, mandatory accreditation, and home health co-pays—that many legislators seemed to consider merely small distractions or bargaining chips compared to the greater goal of a prescription drug package.

Would the CPI freeze get traded for competitive bidding to appease House Republicans? Would the goal of professionalizing the HME industry through accreditation requirements get transformed into a way for the government to force small or young HME companies out of the business?

The industry’s fortunes seemed to change from moment to moment with each new piece of information. And through it all, new American Association for Homecare President Kay Cox remained unruffled and enthusiastic, despite being in what she herself described as a “tough fight.”

“We have such optimism here, and the energy that is created for a good cause is fabulous,” she said in an interview a few days before this issue went to press. “Almost every hour something new happens. We are trying to make sure we let everyone know what is happening here in Washington and what our action plan is currently and what they are expected to do. And everyone has to play a role in the battle.”

To do our part, Home Health Care Dealer/Provider magazine is stepping up its political coverage this issue with a new column by Cara C. Bachenheimer, JD, and David T. Williams, two of the industry’s most experienced political advocates. Called “Our Turn,” (page 42) it is filled with smart and savvy observations on home health care industry politics and will be found on the final page of this magazine each month.

And that is not all. With the support of AAHomecare, we are partnering with the organizers of Medtrade to bring something very special to Atlanta this year. Called “Grassroots Central,” it will be a dedicated area on the show floor where attendees can learn about proposed legislation that could affect them and find easy and simple ways they can get involved in grassroots lobbying, at both the state and national level.

If the initial response to this idea is any guide, it should be a tremendous success. Already state associations from across the country and major manufacturers, such as Invacare, Permobil, Pride, and Sunrise Medical, have signed on to participate.

So now it is up to you. Will you play your part? Take the August Congressional recess as an opportunity to meet with your legislators, and then join us in Atlanta on October 9-11 for “Grassroots Central” at Medtrade.

Together, our own summer blockbuster story will have all the power of the Terminator and the fighting spirit and heart of Seabiscuit.

Lena Lindahl
llindahl@medpubs.com