The AAHomecare/Mal Mixon Legislative Advocate Award will be presented to Thad Connally, CRT, founder and president of First Choice Home Medical (Bowling Green, Ky.), at the American Association for Homecare’s Washington Legislative Conference this month.
An AAHomecare statement noted that Connally “earned this honor on account of his passionate, persistent, and effective advocacy record for HME at both state and Federal levels.”
Thad Connally, CRT (RIGHT), founder and president of First Choice Home Medical recently hosted Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.; LEFT) to discuss upcoming competitive bidding relief legislation. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is expected to visit later in the week.
At the state level, as the President of the Kentucky Medical Equipment Suppliers Association, Connolly lead an effort to establish a new, state-level Durable Medical Equipment Board, taking HME out from under supervision by the state’s Board of Pharmacy. At the Federal level, Connally has traveled to Capitol Hill more than a dozen times to meet with legislators on industry issues and regularly follows up with congressional staff, according to AAHomecare.
“The effectiveness of these efforts are evidenced by the recognition and credibility Thad has established throughout the Kentucky congressional delegation, from its most junior members all the way to the office of the Senate Majority Leader,” the statement from AAHomecare read.
AAHomecare established The Legislative Advocate Award in 2012 to recognize and honor association members who have “significantly advanced the homecare community’s legislative goals and who have, by their example, inspired and motivated others to join the fight for better federal policy for the home medical equipment sector.” Last year the Association honored Mal Mixon, founder of Invacare, and added his name to the award in recognition of a lifetime of leadership for the industry.