After AAHomecare’s lobbying efforts in D.C. earlier this month, the number of cosponsors for the competitive bidding bills have doubled.
The cosponsors have increased for Tanner-Hobson, H.R. 1845, Hatch-Conrad, S. 1428, and also the Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act of 2007, H.R. 2231.
H.R. 2231, the Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act of 2007, was introduced in May by Representatives Tom Allen, (D-Maine), and Ron Lewis, (R-Ky). The bill, which is being pushed by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology(NCART), would carve rehab out of competitive bidding and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries would continue to have access to complex rehab and assistive technology products.
Time is not on the side of industry advocates with the deadline for bids hitting this weekend (June 30) and CMS’ officials who might not fully understand the urgency for the carve out.
Advocates for all three competitive bidding bills have been working on increasing cosponsors through efforts via phone, e-mail, and in-person meetings. Up-to-date lists of cosponsors are at the bottom of the advocacy page at www.aahomecare.org, or visit www.thomas.gov. Many more cosponsors are still needed.
