COPD Caucus Expands Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) recently made it an even dozen when she became the newest US Senator (and the first on the West coast) to join the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caucus cochaired by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark).     Senate Caucus Members     Evan Bayh (D-Ind)     Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)     Thad Cochran (R-Miss)     Susan Collins (R-Me)     Byron Dorgan (D-ND)     Richard Durbin (D-Ill)     Diane Feinstein (D-Calif)     Tim Johnson (D-SD)     Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)     Richard Lugar (R-Ind)     Rick Santorum (R-Pa)     Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich)

HHS Establishes National Medicaid Commission
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt recently detailed information about the new Medicaid advisory commission, which will produce two reports for Leavitt. The commission provides an opportunity for the home care community to make sure a case is made for greater attention to patients’ preference for home care as well as the cost-effectiveness and clinical effectiveness of home care.

The first report, due September 1, 2005, will provide recommendations for how Medicaid could achieve $10 billion in savings during the next 5 years and will also include long-term enhancements. A second report, due at the end of 2006, will provide recommendations for the long-term sustainability of Medicaid. The proposals will address key issues such as:
• How to expand coverage while still being fiscally responsible;
• Ways to provide long-term care to those who need it;
• A review of eligibility, benefits design, and delivery; and
• Improved quality of care, choice, and beneficiary satisfaction.

HHS announced that Leavitt will appoint up to 15 voting members to the commission, including at least three representatives of public policy organizations involved in health care policy for families, individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited incomes, and the elderly. The commission may also have former or current governors, state Medicaid directors, and others with expertise in health, finance, or administration. The commission will have up to 23 nonvoting members including advisors with specific health care expertise or interest in Medicaid, and as many as eight policy experts designated by various Congressional leaders.

Along with its renowned menu of educational seminars, VGM introduced a new accreditation body at this year’s Heartland Conference.

VGM Hosts Annual Conference
Nearly 500 Van G. Miller (VGM) members and more than 200 vendors attended the recent VGM 2005 Heartland Conference in Waterloo, Iowa. The event featured 3 days of well-received educational seminars including “Wheelchair Seating—What Influences What?,” a physically interactive workshop about seating systems, and “How to Get Ideas Flowing from Your Team,” a course describing how to foster ideas in the workplace. VGM also announced the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA), a new accreditation body specifically created for the HME industry. “We were asked by VGM Members to try to make the accreditation process more relevant to HMEs and less expensive in both out-of-pocket cash and staff time,” said Mary Nicholas, MHA, HQAA’s executive director. “VGM decided to incubate a new accreditation agency, a concept we have explored for a number of years.”

National Seating & Mobility Acquires Burke Medical
National Seating & Mobility Inc (NSM), Franklin, Tenn, has reached an agreement to acquire Burke Medical Equipment, Chicopee, Mass, creating the largest rehab seating and mobility provider in New England. Terms of the agreement were not made public. “We much prefer being part of NSM than competing against them,” said Fran Burke, Burke Medical founder and CEO. “With everything going on in the rehab industry today, the timing of this move couldn’t be better for our clients and RTSs [Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers].”

Apria Sale Possible
Apria Healthcare, Lake Forest, Calif, confirmed that it is looking into the possible sale of the company. Apria’s Board of Directors has engaged Morgan Stanley to contact a number of potentially interested parties and offer them an opportunity to review nonpublic information concerning the company, an Apria statement says. “If, after such review, one or more of such persons indicates an interest in proceeding with an acquisition at an attractive price level, the directors will consider the possibility of entering into such a transaction,” said company spokespersons. Apria cautioned that there is no assurance that this process will lead to an acquisition transaction. “The company is in strong financial condition, has an excellent management team, and considers its prospects to be very good,” David L. Goldsmith, chairman of the board, says. “Accordingly, no decision has been made to proceed with a sale and the Board of Directors may conclude that shareholder interests are best served by remaining an independent, publicly owned company.”