The American Association for Homecare has sworn in John Letizia, president of Ebensburg, Pa. provider Laurel Medical Supplies Inc., as its new chairman.
Stepping up from his role as vice chair, Letizia replaces outgoing chairman Robert Steedley, who is the president of provider Valdosta, Ga.-headquartered Barnes Healthcare Services, a provider in the Southeast.
Steedley’s term ended May 19, the day before last week’s AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, which ran from May 20-21 at Washington D.C.’s Washington Court Hotel. Letizia was sworn in on May 20 during the conference.
“John has been working with me for quite a long time in his role as vice chair,” said AAHomceare President and CEO Tom Ryan. “I’ve seen his passion and his commitment and I’m extremely happy to have him on board.”
Ryan praised Steedley, and lauded the outgoing chair’s term, which enjoyed legislative successes such as the passage of Binding Bids legislation earlier this year.
“Robert was terrific and unfortunately in the association world you have to time out and you can’t expect the chair to go on forever,” the association head added. “And if I had to pick somebody to fill Robert Steedley’s big shoes, John would be the man.”
“I grew up in this business and I have an extreme passion for it as a small provider,” Letizia said. “I’m really looking forward to the next 12 to 24 months in this industry, because we have a lot of changes ahead and we have to be really nimble.”
Such agility will be required as the association continues to push a number of legislative agenda items, such as audit reform and the Market Pricing Program alternative to competitive bidding, Letizia said. The association has gained ground via an incremental public policy fight that has sought to reform programs such as competitive bidding bit-by-bit, rather than wholesale.
“It’s not always hitting it over the fence,” Ryan said. “It’s hitting singles and singles and all of a sudden you get a couple doubles and the next thing you know you’re getting runs.”
And Letizia noted that the key to success with such advocacy efforts lies in driving as much industry involvement as possible.
“We need everyone in the industry to join AAHomecare and join the fight,” the incoming chair said. “We need more members to grow this association. Everybody in this industry should be a member.”
