The Northeast Medical Equipment Providers Association (NEMEP) scored several New York state legislative meetings this week, getting face-time with N.Y. State Senator Patrick Gallivan, staff for Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), and staff for Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.).
The meetings also include John Quinlan, NEMEP president and owner of Quinlan’s Pharmacy, who led the effort; Patty Reni, RRT, homecare account manager for Mckesson; Dave Lasko of Mckesson; John Gallagher, vice president of Government Relations for VGM; and David Chandler, director payer relations for the American Association for Homecare.
“Your association dues were hard at work this week as we all were advocating for the HME community and making sure our story was heard,” Quinlan wrote in a note to the association’s members.
At the meeting with State Senator Gallivan meeting, NEMEP discussed the need for New York licensure requirements to ensure providers are local enough to adequately service patient needs. The delegates explained the issues providers are experiencing with the various Medicaid managed care organization plans and the need for adequate MCO oversight.
The meeting also covered the need for New York Medicaid to update its policy of requiring a signature upon delivery when items are drop-shipped via a third-party shipping service such as UPS or FedEx.
At the meeting with Congressman Chris Collins’ staff, the delegates thanked the lawmaker’s office for supporting the industry’s current initiatives. It also asked that Colllins contact other key members of Congress to urge their support.
Meeting with Rep. Brian Higgins’ staff, the NEMEP group thanked the office for supporting both CRT bills H.R. 2408 and H.R. 2293, and asked for the congress member’s support of H.R. 2771.