Homecare Providers Asked to Urge Congress to Support Medicaid Commission, H.R. 985 and S. 338, USA

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 15 Apr 2005 - 11:00 PDT

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Members of the American Association for Homecare were urged yesterday to express support for HR 985 and S 338, bills to establish a bipartisan commission on Medicaid. Both bills have broad, bipartisan support in Congress.

The commission would review and make recommendations with respect to Medicaid's major functions, delineation of federal and state roles, the long-term financial condition of Medicaid, matching payments, dual eligibility, and healthcare disparities.

The American Association for Homecare believes decisions about Medicaid should be based on sound healthcare policy rather than efforts to reduce the deficit. The commission would provide an opportunity to emphasize the cost-effectiveness of homecare as well as preference by patients. For information about contacting Members of Congress, see the action links at the AAHomecare website, http://www.aahomecare.org . To see who has signed on as a cosponsor, see http://thomas.loc.gov and enter the bill number.

Many states continue to examine the Medicaid issue, and homecare services have been targeted for cuts in Missouri, Michigan and other states. In Nebraska, Sen. Phil Erdman of Bayard has introduced a bill (LB 709) calling for a study. Medicaid is the second-largest and fastest-growing slice of the budget pie in Nebraska, rising an average of 11 percent annually over the past two decades, according to the Associated Press. At both federal and state levels, calls for spending cuts have been met with concern about preserving access to care provided by Medicaid.

Matt Burke Launches Software Firm, Resigns as RATC Chair

Matt Burke, formerly of Burke Medical Equipment, has launched a software company to serve the durable medical equipment industry. To devote the required time for the venture, Burke resigned as chair of AAHomecare's Rehab and Assistive Technology Council (RATC). The RATC will continue its work on key mobility coding and reimbursement issues. AAHomecare expects to announce a new chair in time for the Washington Leadership Conference and annual meeting,

June 7-10. Homecare Providers Will Bring Concerns to Congress at AAHomecare Washington Leadership Conference, June 7-10

Hundreds of homecare providers from across the U.S. will gather in Washington June 7-10 to deliver the message to Congress that homecare is one of the key answers to the nation's healthcare crisis in Medicare and Medicaid. The providers will gather for the American Association for Homecare Washington Leadership Conference at the JW Marriott.

"We will bring a number of specific policy concerns to Congress as well as the larger message that homecare is patient-preferred, clinically proven, and cost-effective," stated Kay Cox, President and CEO of AAHomecare. The conference also serves as AAHomecare's annual business meeting.

General session speakers will include:

-- Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), the only homecare business owner in Congress;
-- Hon. Thomas Scully, senior counsel at Alston & Bird and former Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
-- Bonnie St. John, paralympian, author, Rhodes Scholar, and motivational speaker.

The schedule includes the following events. More detail will be available nearer to the conference.

Tuesday, June 7:

-- Welcome reception, 5:30 to 7 pm, sponsored by AAHomecare PAC.

Wednesday, June 8:

-- 9:15 - 9:45 am: AAHomecare annual business meeting
-- 9:45 - 10:30 am: "Circle of Leadership," Hon. Thomas Scully
-- 11 am - 5 pm: Appointments with Congressional offices (AAHomecare will schedule meetings)
-- 5:30 - 7 pm: Capitol Hill reception

Thursday, June 9:

-- 8:30 - 9:15 am: Keynote, Hon. Mike Ross
-- 9:15 - 10 am: "OIG & DOJ Enforcement," Howard Young, Esq., Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal
-- 10:15 - 11:15 am: "Governors' Point of View on Medicaid," Krista Carman, Dutko Worldwide
-- 11:30 am - 1 pm: Choosing to Be Extraordinary," Bonnie St. John
-- 1:30 - 2:30 pm: Competitive Bidding Panel
-- 2:45 - 3:30 pm: Concurrent sessions on: Telemedicine, Rehab Gap Filling, Home Respiratory Care Standards
-- 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Reception and The Capitol Steps performance

Friday, June 10:

8:00 - 9:30am: Homecare Leaders Panel moderated by Dexter Braff of the Braff Group (details on panel to come)

To register, visit http://www.aahomecare.org .

Press are encouraged to attend. All that is needed is an RSVP to michaelr@aahomecare.org.

Michael Reinemer
Vice President, Communications
American Association for Homecare
625 Slaters Lane, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-1171
703-535-1881
http://www.aahomecare.org

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