H.R. 4920, recently released legislation that would make all bids binding as well as require providers to obtain bonds before bidding, has already 18 lawmakers signing on as co-sponsors.
Introduced by Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) and John Larson (D-Conn.), the bill’s current backers are:
- Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.)
- Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.)
- Rep. Gus Bilirakis M. (R-Fla.)
- Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.)
- Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa)
- Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.)
- Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.)
- Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.)
- Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)
- Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio)
- Rep. William Keating (D-Mass.)
- Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)
- Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)
- Rep. Robert Latta (R-Ohio)
- Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas)
- Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.)
- Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.)
- Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.)
Industry legislative experts point out that the upcoming August recess will provide HME professional ample opportunity to get out and lobby on behalf of the bill. However, it is critical that industry advocates don’t wait until lawmakers are back in their home districts, but instead begin driving support for the bill in the remaining weeks of July.