The House sign-on letter asking CMS to reconsider plans to include non-invasive ventilators in the next round of the competitive bidding program closed last week. According to AAHomecare, 180 legislators had signed on to the letter at the deadline. This includes 11 from the Ohio Congressional delegation showing strong bi-partisan support from the Buckeye state: Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Bob Gibbs, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep Steve Chabot, Rep. Bob Latta, Rep. Anthony Gonzales and Rep. Brad Wenstrup. Thank you to our members who rallied for this support. The letter will be sent to HHS Secretary Azar and CMS Administrator Verma.
Now on to the Senate! Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are leading a Senate sign-on letter asking CMS and HHS to reevaluate plans to add non-invasive vents to the competitive bidding program for Round 2021 and look at other options to address potential over-utilization issues. Both Senators are on the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over the issue. The full letter can be seen here.
The deadline to sign on is close of business on Friday June 28th. OAMES would like to thank Sen. Brown for stepping up to lead this letter and ask members to contact Seth Gold in Senator Portman’s office to ask for his support as well. Please contact Mr. Gold by phone at 202-224-3353 or email. If you need any assistance or have questions, please email Kam Yuricich at OAMES.