Mentions in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and the Washington Post sparked a particularly active legislative week in the HME industry. Specifically, the WSJ quoted Congressman Pete Stark (D-Calif) [pictured] as saying he’d like to see the competitive bidding program “scrapped.” In the article, Stark says he feels action will be taken against the program but indicates he is uncertain of whether it will be in 2008 or 2009.

In an unrelated article on the same day, the Washington Post reported on the many sides of the home oxygen debate, while also profiling familiar face Barbara Rogers, who heads the National Emphysema/ COPD Association. The Post cited AAHomecare’s past rejection of a government study about costs under Medicare. “The association said the assessment ignored the cost of servicing oxygen equipment. In addition, it said, steep reductions could harm patient care,” writes Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, in the May 6  Post article. “To make its case, the industry has the assistance of patients groups, including the National Emphysema/COPD Association, the group that had 14 people on oxygen roaming the halls of Congress last week. The association claims 1,000 paid members and reaches 325,000 oxygen users through its newsletter. The group, based in New York, advocates primarily on behalf of patients with emphysema and other chronic lung diseases.” In the article, AAHomecare president Tyler Wilson confirms that AAHomecare “works closely” with these groups.

Rep Pete Stark (D-Calif) is quoted in the following excerpt: 

Members of Congress have grown accustomed to patients groups descending on Washington to echo the views of industry. "It's a gimmick the providers have used for years. I think it's hokey," said Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.), chairman of the health subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. "I like to think we are able to make an objective decision based on facts. I don't want to make these decisions based on an emotional appeal."

In yet another piece of the media blitz, AAHomecare placed an ad in Roll Call, a publication for congressional news on Capitol Hill, in advance of this week’s House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing (see Top Story).

The ad states…

What Would You Call a Medicare Program That:

• Reduces Services to Seniors and People with Disabilities?
• Limits Access to Care?
• Eliminates Competition

We wouldn’t call it “competitive bidding.”  We would call it a mistake.