With a new administration in Washington, D.C., the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has announced an expanded legislative conference in May.
In a March 5 bulletin to home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders, AAHomecare noted that 2025 “has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on Congressional committees of jurisdiction for health-care finance issues. Our industry must take advantage of the opportunity to enlist new advocates for HME on Capitol Hill and strengthen relationships with our established champions.”
The May 12-13 Washington Legislative Conference will be “full-scale, in-person” for the first time in six years.
The conference begins with a networking reception and dinner on Mon., May 12. On Tues., May 13, advocates will have a full day of meetings with legislators and their staffers.
AAHomecare said advocates will be focusing their discussions on restoring 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement relief; delivering a long-term solution that aligns rates with market reality for suppliers in former competitive bidding areas; ensuring Medicare Advantage plans don’t limit coverage of HME; protecting Medicaid benefits; passing carbon fiber/titanium wheelchair upgrade legislation; reforming the Universal Payment Identification Code (UPIC) program; and urging support for ePrescribing for durable medical equipment.
“Your in-person lobbying on Capitol Hill has given way to Congressional engagement with HHS [Department of Health & Human Services] and CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] that led to important COVID-19 PHE [public health emergency] relief, establishing 50/50 blended rates in rural areas on a permanent basis, and improvements in O2 reimbursement policy,” the association said. “With a new administration in place, we may have an expanded playing field to secure wins for HME.”
Registration is free for AAHomecare members, and $129 for non-members. Event headquarters will be the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill. The conference hotel room block closes on April 25.
