There will always be members of Congress who abuse power and end up trading in designer clothes for orange jumpsuits. Does that make all legislators corrupt? Of course not. However, as Congress reels from bribery charges leveled against a Louisiana Representative (remember the freezer with $90,000 in cash?), the HME industry recoils from yet another mini scandal. Attendees at the recent AAHomecare legislative conference did a good job of educating lawmakers, but the cloud of fraud and abuse hung over the proceedings thanks to the May 2007 misadventures in south Florida.

To refresh your memory, investigators arrested almost 40 people in the Miami area for running a phony prescription ring for compounded inhalation medications. Since 2005, the US Attorney’s Office has leveled charges against almost 200 defendants for defrauding Medicare out of $142 million.

The thought of any legislators devoting brain power to these bad actors makes me ill. However, they are. On the VGM Web site (www.vgm.com), you will find a 5-minute video address from Sen Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in which he devotes almost 2 minutes to the south Florida debacle and fraud in general. "An overwhelming number of medical equipment suppliers are honest, but a few bad actors cost the program $700 million dollars a year," says Grassley. On home care in general, Grassley says, "I have never heard anyone say, 'I’m just dying to get into a nursing home.'"

When it comes to competitive bidding, Grassley offers lukewarm support. "I’ve had my concerns about how it will impact small providers," he says. "I will monitor its effects."

Grassley’s sentiments are shared by many lawmakers, and it remains to be seen whether others will adopt his wait and see approach, or take direct action to thwart the program through legislation. The outcome will depend on the efforts of people such as those who attended the AAHomecare conference last month.

Like last year, participants from California graciously let me tag along as they patrolled the halls of Congress. My thanks again go to: Lisa M. Getson, Apria Healthcare; Robert S. Fary, Inogen Inc; Kathy J. Odell, Inogen Inc; and newcomer Ani Manougian of Western Drug Medical Supply.

As I listen to these individuals, I am always struck by their command of the issues and their dedication. Like so many of their colleagues from other states, they personify the integrity that stands in sharp contrast to the tawdry criminals that give the industry a bad name.

As an editor, I walk the line between objective reporter and advocate. But in the case of competitive bidding—and forced ownership of oxygen equipment—I have taken the role of constituent. I have sent letters to my Congressional representatives via e-mail. I am but a humble editor, but it can’t hurt. If everyone reading these words does the same, we all may turn the tide.

Greg Thompson

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