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A Message from John Gallagher
Mad Yet? Channel Your Anger - Get Involved - Make a Difference!
Dear Executive Directors,
The recent CMS announcement of Round 2 rates have left the entire DME industry up in arms, scrambling to get the train wreck called competitive bidding to come to a halt. Internally, we have seen an increasing number of providers getting mobilized to take action. In the last two weeks, providers who hadn't been actively engaged in grassroots efforts are now coming out of the wood work, asking us what they can do to be more proactive in the fight against competitive bidding. Many are outraged at what the industry is about to suffer. In addition, state Medicaid programs across the country have started to announce that their reimbursement rates will reflect Medicare's new rates. We are no doubt at a turning point, and it is "ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
Beginning today, VGM will be urging its members to channel their anger and frustration with CMS and the competitive bidding program by actively engaging in efforts to repeal competitive bidding, replacing it with MPP. We have a few events that we will be promoting, encouraging our members to participate. We are asking for your help and involvementon these very important events.
Feb 18 - 22
In District Meetings with members of Congress.
- Need to schedule district meetings IMMEDIATELY - providers should coordinate with their competitors, patients and referral sources.
- Meetings should scheduled via the state association. As you know, meetings will be more effective when people go en masse, not as individuals. Thus, it will be important that all meetings be coordinated through you.
- Contact information to your legislators' district offices is found on the VGM DC Link (www.vgmdclink.com).
Feb 26-27
DC Fly-In
- Meetings for this should also be scheduled IMMEDIATELY. Once again, providers should coordinate with their competitors, patients, and referral sources.
- Meetings should be scheduled via the state association. Like the in-district meetings, these should also be en masse.
- We are here to help with these as well.
Feb 26-27
Shutdown the Switchboard
- While providers are in DC attending the "fly in," their employees, family, patients, etc. can be "shutting down" the switchboard, urging their legislators to put a stop to the current bidding program. VGM will provide talking points/material for those who are calling in to use.
As industry leaders, we must work together to move towards defeating competitive bidding and replacing with MPP. While associations like AAHomecare and NAIMES are supporting these efforts, these events will not be about VGM or any other association/organization. This is about the providers coming together in earnest to educate their legislators and to get some traction on our important issues. We must question CMS on its transparency, while encouraging support of MPP. For this to be successful, we need your help. Once again, "ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
VGM Government Relations will be available to help you. Whether you need contact information, template meeting request letters, or material about competitive bidding, we can help. We want to make this as easy as possible for the providers, while making it a coordinated effort from all who are involved. Please join us. "HELL NO, WE WON'T GO!"
I will send you the message that will go to your members very soon. In the meantime, here are some resources from People for Quality Care for providers to send to their patients.
http://peopleforqualitycare.org/uploads/articles/3de767bb3c0ee4a440a6a5addd7b0fdb.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/peopleforqualitycare
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We thank you for joining us in this effort!
At Your Service,
John E. Gallagher
Vice President, Government Relations
VGM & Associates
VGM Phone: 800/642-6065
VGM Fax: 319/235-9774
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