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| From left to right: Don Pittman, Dave Camp, Steve Filippis, Bernie Reid, Tim Hatt and John Wright |
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| Steve Filippis, William Grisamer, and Tim Hatt enjoy the view after a long day of lobbying for homecare. |
By Tim Hatt
U.S. Representative Dave Camp was invited to tour the Wright & Filippis Saginaw facility. The visit was scheduled earlier in the year during a meeting in Washington D.C. attended by Tim Hatt, Director of Home Medical Equipment and was intended to give the congressman a greater insight into the challenges faced by Medicare beneficiaries who receive home oxygen therapy. Those that met with Rep. Camp included John Wright, Vice President; Steve Filippis, Director of Operations; Bernie Reid, Wright & Filippis Saginaw Manager; Don Pittman, Bio-Med Supervisor; and Tim Hatt.
"We are excited and appreciate that Mr. Camp is taking the time to learn first-hand some of the value-added services that are essential to patients who need these critical respiratory services," said John Wright.
Currently there are two legislative proposals which would help ensure improved home healthcare service for Medicare beneficiaries. The Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act (H.R. 621) would no longer require patients to assume responsibility for technically-sophisticated respiratory equipment, relieving many seniors of this difficult and problematic burden. Also, the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act (H.R. 1845), commonly known as the Tanner-Hobson bill, would ensure access for Medicare beneficiaries to all willing qualified Home Medical Equipment providers, amending many of the provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 that restrict access and competition.
During the visit, Mr. Camp was greeted by a constituent and Wright & Filippis customer, Mr. William Grisamer, of Midland, MI. Mr. Grisamer gave Mr. Camp a first hand account of the value he receives from Wright & Filippis and the concerns he has regarding the changes that have and are taking place in the delivery of home oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries.
As a result of this visit, we are happy to report that Mr. Camp agreed to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act H.R. 1845 during a follow up meeting held in early June as part of the "Legislative Fly-In" sponsored by the American Association for Homecare and attended by Steve Filippis, Tim Hatt, and Mr. Grisamer. "It's great that we can count among our friends Congressman Dave Camp, as we know his leadership role and support for this issue has helped generate movement towards passage of Tanner-Hobson" remarked Steve Filippis.
Thank you to the staff of Wright & Filippis Saginaw for your efforts in making this special visit a reality.