H.R. 4229 Push Targets Past Rural Relief Allies

Advocacy effort calls on providers to contact 35 legislators who co-sponsored of H.R. 5210 in the last Congress.

• By David Kopf
• Jan 18, 2018

To strengthen lobbying for legislation that would protect access to HME in rural and non-bid areas, the American Association for Homecare has announced a special push that will target past supporters of similar legislation in the previous Congress.

H.R. 4229, the Protecting Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment Access Act (bit.ly/2znFN0j), which provides relief for providers suffering from the expansion of competitive bidding to rural and non-bid areas, and addresses the so-called “oxygen double dip,” currently has 109 co-sponsors attached to it. Providers can see if their Representative is a co-sponsor by visiting bit.ly/2hBxh4c.

The new AAHomecare effort aims to quickly add more co-sponsors by targeting the 35 House legislators who were co-sponsors of H.R. 5210, rural relief legislation that was introduced in the 114th Congress. Broken down by state, and designated by district, those Representatives are:

• Alabama: Gary Palmer (R-6)
• California: Scott Peters (D-52)
• Florida: Tom Rooney (R-17)
• Georgia: Austin Scott (R-8); David Scott (D-13)
• Idaho: Michael Simpson (R-2)
• Illinois: Cheri Bustos (D-17); Rodney Davis (R-13)
• Kentucky: Brett Guthrie (R-2); Tom Massie (R-4); Hal Rogers (R-5)
• Louisiana: Ralph Abraham (R-5) 
• Maryland: Andy Harris (R-1) 
• Massachusetts: William Keating (D-9); Stephen Lynch (D-8)
• Nebraska: Jeff Fortenberry (R-1); Adrian Smith (R-3) 
• New Jersey: Chris Smith (R-4) 
• North Carolina: George Holding (R-2); David Rouzer (R-7)
• Ohio: Steve Chabot (R-1); Bob Gibbs (R-7); Brad Wenstrup (R-2)
• Oklahoma: Tom Cole (R-4)
• Oregon: Kurt Schrader (D-5)
• Pennsylvania: Lou Barletta (R-11); Scott Perry (R-4); Bill Shuster (R-9) 
• Rhode Island: James Langevin (D-2) 
• Texas: Louie Gohmert (R-1); Jeb Hensarling (R-5); Kenny Marchant (R-24); Bill Flores (R-17) 
• West Virginia: David McKinley (R-1) 
• Wisconsin: Mark Pocan (D-2)

The effort will also concentrate on the nine members of the 115th Congress’ “freshman class” that replaced legislators who co-sponsored H.R. 5210. AAHomecare notes that providers can contact those Representatives via their legislative assistants that are responsible for healthcare issues to let them know their predecessor was a co-sponsor of similar legislation. That group of lawmakers, listed by state and designated by their district and legislative predecessor are:

• Arizona: Tom O’Halleran (D-1; predecessor is Ann Kirkpatrick) 
• Illinois: Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8; predecessor is Tammy Duckworth)
• Kansas: Ron Estes (R-4; predecessor is Mike Pompeo)
• Louisiana: Clay Higgins (R-3; predecessor is Charles Boustany)
• Michigan: Paul Mitchell (R-10; predecessor is Candice Miller)
• Nevada: Jacky Rosen [D-3; predecessor is Joe Heck)
• Texas: Jody Arrington (R-19; predecessor is Randy Neugebauer)
• Virginia: Donald McEachin (D-4; predecessor is Randy Forbes); Scott Taylor (R-2; predecessor is Scott Rigell)

“Even if we get half of the 44 legislators noted above to co-sponsor H.R. 4229, we will pass H.R. 5210’s total of 121 co-sponsors,” said AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan. “If you are located or do business in any of these districts, please make a special effort to reach out to these members of Congress.”

Providers lobbying their lawmakers on behalf of the bill can obtain two issues briefs from AAHomecare to help them make their case:

• Congress Must Stop Drastic Cuts to DME Items in Rural & Non-Bid Areas
• Why Medicare CBAs Should Support Rural Relief

Also, the can send an email to their legislator in support of H.R. 4229 or use the Congressional directory to contact their Representative by phone.