The campaign resources are part of the overall public awareness campaign for the homecare industry initiated by the American Association for Homecare. This effort has included an advertising campaign, public relations consultants and other image bolstering products and services. The goal of the campaign is to educate the general public and build good will toward the industry. Money has been raised for the campaign through fund raisers, which have taken place during Medtrade. However continual support throughout the year will strengthen the campaign.
We need your support to continue this campaign. We should all be cognizant that our industry has a serious public awareness challenge in front of it. “Homecare” must be more firmly planted in the mind of the American public—and, through them, on the priority list of those in Congress. This is fundamental to our advocacy. Your support of the Stand Up for Homecare campaign is critical to that effort. Please consider attending the fundraising reception in October or support the campaign through a donation using the following: Stand Up for Homecare Campaign Flyer.
Public Awareness Campaign Delivers Accurate HME Messages in Media
Joel Marx Appears on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal
AAHomecare and Rational secured a 30-minute segment on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on September 5, to discuss the value of home medical equipment and how it fits into the larger health reform debate. Joel Marx, president and CEO of Medical Service Company in Cleveland and chair of AAHomecare’s HME/RT Advisory Council, represented the Association on the program, which was aired both on television and on the C-SPAN radio network. Marx received questions about the bidding program and oxygen and spoke directly about some recent misrepresentations about the HME sector. To view the segment, visit the C-SPAN Archives.
Rebuttal to Misleading OIG Report on Power Wheelchairs Last week, the Association responded to the negative HHS Office of Inspector General report on power wheelchairs by highlighting the shortcomings of the report in a release sent to the media nationwide. The release was also sent to more than 400 legislative staff who work on health issues for members of Congress. The Association continues to rebut the information contained in this report.
Continued Efforts to Earn Positive Media Coverage Rational 360 is working with journalists in Round One areas regarding the bidding program and the O’Roark study that underscored the problems with the program. The firm continues to discuss with the media the value of homecare, issues raised by the bidding program, and important facts about oxygen. Rational has also contacted hundreds of individual HME providers to assist them in expressing concern to Congress.
Articulating the Value of Homecare The Association conducted a Congressional Roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill about the value of HME in June. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Blue Dog Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) stressed the cost-effective role of HME in health reform. Comments by Daschle about the value of homecare were published in a front-page New York Times article on August 23, 2009. With the help of Rational 360, AAHomecare also placed an editorial by Tyler Wilson in the Capitol Hill publication Roll Call, July 6, 2009: “Home Care: A Critical Health Care Reform Solution,” and developed a Myth v. Reality checklist to counter misperceptions about HME.
More Results: Highlights from Rational / AAHomecare PR Efforts So Far in 2009
Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 7, 2009, Article: “Home oxygen industry trying to change way government pays to provide service to seniors.”
Inside Health Policy, May 22, 2009, Article: “Medicare Task Force Targets Fraud, Private Insurers Seek Fraud Data,” mentions anti-fraud efforts by HME sector.
American Medical News, (published by American Medical Association) May 3, 2009, “Medicare DME bidding program set to re-launch in 2010,” quotes AAHomecare’s disappointment that CMS is moving forward with bid program.
Wall Street Journal, April 17, “Medicare Will Use Bidding Program to Buy Equipment,” AAHomecare: “Medicare beneficiaries will be the ultimate losers here.”
American Medical News, April 10, 2009, “Medicare slammed for limiting pay for oxygen.”
Wall Street Journal, March 19, “Medicare Rules on Equipment Worry Patients.” AAHomecare: “The result is going to be lower quality and lower access to care for seniors and people with disabilities.”
Modern Healthcare, February 12, “Homecare trade group offers anti-fraud measures.”
Associated Press, January 12, “Keeping home life-support up when power goes out” AAHomecare was quoted. Story picked up by Fox News, CBS, ABC, MSNBC.
Resources
As part of the Association’s ongoing communications efforts, we would like to give providers an opportunity to take a stand in your community. The homecare industry has been covered by major newspapers including the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, Atlanta Journal Constitution and other publications because of the competitive bidding program, fraud and abuse scandals, and other high profile programs and events. Even with the 18 month delay of competitive bidding, our industry faces tough public relations challenges. AAHomecare will continue to proactively reach out to the media, but we encourage you to do the same. AAHomecare is available to help you deliver a strong media message and has provided the following resources to help you share the benefits of homecare with the press and the general public.
Advertising Campaign
As part of the Association’s ongoing communications efforts, we would like to give providers an opportunity to take a stand in your community. The attached advertisements for newspapers and magazines have been developed at the direction of the Stand Up for Homecare steering committee.
The ads focus on the value of homecare and direct the audience to a new consumer web page focused on the benefits of homecare.
We invite you to place either a full page, half-page or quarter-page ad in newspapers or magazines in which you ordinarily advertise. By placing any size ad within the next month, you have an opportunity to make a difference for your patients and for your business for years to come.
Ad placement is easy, and instructions are below. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to help answer them. Please call any time.
TO PLACE AN AD:
Simply call the publication of your choice to arrange for ad placement. (They’ll need a copy of your logo, address and phone number.) Direct your account representative at the publication to go online to www.aahomecare.org/ads to download the electronic version of the ad mechanical to insert your logo into the ad size of your choice.
If you would like to receive the Indesign or EPS file of these ads, please contact Tilly Gambill at tillyg@aahomecare.org or call 703-535-1896. A "zipped" version will be sent via e-mail to the contact information provided.
Questions? Please call Tilly Gambill at the American Association for Homecare at 703-535-1896. We’ll be happy to help!
Consumer Website
Many patients and caretakers ask for further information about homecare and it's cost effectiveness. The American Association for Homecare has provided the following public web page to help people find this information and other helpful resources: www.aahomecare.org/athome.
Websites have also been created to provide information to members of Congress and their staff, the media, and Medicare beneficiaries explaining homecare issues.
Currently, funds are being used to place positive feature stories in newspapers around the country about the cost-effectiveness and value of homecare. Below are two articles that have been distributed through a company called NewsUSA. Along with a third aritcle on competitive bidding, the columns have been placed in more than 300 newspapers nationwide. You are invited to send the following stories to your local papers and customize to fit your papers needs.
If you have any questions, please contact Tilly Gambill, Manager of Marketing and Communications, at 703-535-1896 or tillyg@aahomecare.org.
Media Relations
AAHomecare recommends contacting members of the press in your city and state to get the homecare story into the media. The press needs to understand more about the value of homecare. Two simple ways to share information with the general public through your local newspaper is through a letter to the editor or op-ed. Another simple way to share your story or your patient's story with the media and members of Congress is through the AAHomecare Story Bank. The AAHomecare Story Bank was designed to help build a database documenting homecare stories from patients and providers. Stories about the experiences of people both providing and using homecare services help make difficult and complex policy issues understandable to a broader audience. Reporters and policymakers find the stories useful to better illustrate the everyday struggles that Americans face concerning homecare. Please consider leaving your story today.
We would like to thank those who have already committed their support for Medtrade 2009:
Gold Sponsors: Apria Healthcare Group, Brown & Fortunato, Drive Medical, Fisher & Paykel, Golden Technologies, Home Diagnostics, Inc., Hoveround, Invacare Corporation, Landauer Metropolitan, MEDGroup, Medline Industries, Inc., Med-South, Inc., Philips Respironics, Pride Mobility Products, The Scooter Store, VGM, Wright & Filippis
Homecare Champions: Georgie Blackburn- BLACKBURN’s, Lynn Bryson-Robert’s Home Medical, Inc., Randy Carson- Smith & Nephew, Chris Kane- Pacific Pulmonary Services, Tom Fitzsimmons- Fitzsimmons Home Medical Equipment, Kevin Gaffney-Nielsen, Mario LaCute-Seeley Medical, Mary Ann Largen- MedEmporium, Joel D. Marx- Medical Service Company, Van Miller- Van G. Miller & Associates, Ltd., Joe Priest- AirSep Corporation, Tammy Robert- Ken’s Thrift Way Pharmacy & Home Medical, Inc., Tom Ryan- Homecare Concepts, Rose Schafhauser- MAMES, John Shirvinsky- PA Association of Medical Supplies, Randy Wolfe- Lambert’s Health Care
Industry Advocates:Charlie Barnes- Barnes Healthcare Services, Mary Ellen Conway- Capitol Healthcare Group, Daniel Desimone- Continued Care of L.I., Inc., Casey Hite- Aeroflow, Jack Hogan-Health Complex Medical, Larry Johnson-Dependable Medical Equipment, Inc., Wayne Knewasser- Premier Home Care, Carol Laumer- Rice Home Medical, LLC, Terry Luft-Central Medical Equipment Co., Dave McCausland- Roho Group, Alan Sear- Mark Drug Medical Supply, Dennis Sharpe- MK Battery, Robert Steedley- Barnes Healthcare Services, Kristen Wendel- Brightree
Patrons: Don Adler- Care Medical Equipment, Inc., Esther Apter- MedForce Technologies, Dwight Atkinson- Active Mobility, Tim Bates- Premier Home Health, Bill Bayer- Medical Express, Bob Binson- Binson’s Home Health Care Centers, Rick Bohn- Steven Richards & Associates, Inc., Randy Boush- Active Mobility, Kim Brummett- Advanced Home Care, Richard Butler- Logimedix, Robin Campbell- Computer’s Unlimited, Sandra Canally- The Compliance Team, Inc., Jim Coker- Rogersville Pharmacy, Thad F. Connally- FirstChoice Home Medical, K.C. Cooper- K.C. Medical, Robert Crump- Walter & Haverfield, John Darlee, Larry de la Haba- Graham Field Health Products, Oana Dumitrescu- Care Medical Equipment, Inc., Michael Fuchs- Stay At Home Supply, Paul Gammie- Gammie Homecare, Inc., Richard Glass- Steven Richards & Associates, Inc., Tina Godfrey- Advanced Home Care, Dan Greyn- Computers Unlimited, Shelly Hammer- MedForce Technologies, Sarah Hanna- ECS Billing & Consulting, Inc., Deborah Haywood-McKesson Homecare, Heather Hooper- Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment, Inc., Greg Hopkins- Lauren’s Home Medical Services, Inc., Tawab Jan- Northern Jersey Medical Supply, Ron Jenkins- Respitec Medical Care & Equipment, Inc., Mark Jones- One South Direct, LLC, Karen Kaczmarek-KBK Consulting, Seth M. Klein- Complete Medical Supplies, Inc, Gail Kolb- AMG Medical, George S. Kucka- Fairmeadows Home Health Center, Inc., Amy Leopard- Walter & Haverfield, John Letizia- Laurel Medical Supplies, Inc., Miriam Lieber- Miriam L. Lieber Consulting, Connie Lind-Fraher- A-1 Home Healthcare, Jeff Lindsey- Graham Field Health Products, Anne P. LoDico-Atlantic Medical Supply, Lawrence R. LoDico- Atlantic Medical Supply, Bernie Lorenz- Lorenze Consulting, LLC, Kaye Martin – ConvaTec, Steve Mamangakis- Physicians Choice, Ralph McBride-Advanced Home Care, Terry McDonald- AirSense, Inc., John Miclot- CCS Medical, Joel Mills- Advanced Home Care, Jamilia Neamatullah- Northern Jersey Medical Supply, Michael O’Connor- CCS Medical, Kathy Odell- Allstate Medical, Chris Onslow-Care Medical Equipment, Inc., Stewart Pace- Med-South, Inc., James Poole- Lauren’s Home Medical Services, Inc., Sheldon Prial, Richard Pozesky- Nevada Association of Medical Products, Suppliers, Jan H. Rhodes- Mt. Homecare Equipment, Ron Richard-Sequal Technologies, David Schaer- Computers Unlimited, Bea Scherer- Graham Field Health Products, Inc., Glenn Schrader- Low County Home Oxygen, Martin Schwartz- Stay At Home Supply, Kit Shellhouse- ECS Billing & Consulting, Inc., Jim Spellman-Oxygen One, Inc, Janet Soderquist- Rehab Equipment Associates, Andrea Stark- MiraVista, LLC, Candace Stoltzfus- Manny Esh Respiratory Care, Inc., Heidi Thometz- Computers Unlimited, Franklin Trammell- Carolina’s Home Medical Equipment, Inc., Bob Thornburg- HME Industry Consultation, Todd Tyson- Hi-Tech Healthcare, Ryan Walter- Graham Field Health Products, Inc., Earl Ward-Ward Medical Services, Mary Ruth Watt- Homefront Air and Medical Supplies, Inc., Colette Weil- Summit Marketing, Lelia Wilkerson- Heritage Medical Equipment & Supplies, Inc., John Wittenberg-Inventory Solutions, Inc., Cindy Wolf- Diabetic Care Services, Inc., Marc Wolf- Diabetic Care Services, Inc., Randy Wolfe- Lambert’s Health Care, Terry Wylie- AirSense, Inc., Titus Yoder- Wayne Health Services & Supplies, Inc.
Industry Supporters: HME News, Homecare Magazine, Mobility Management, Respiratory Management
The following supported the Stand Up for Homecare Campaign for Medtrade Spring, 2009:
Gold Sponsors:Apria, Brown & Fortunato, Covidien, Hoveround, Invacare, Landauer Metropolitan, The MED Group, Philips Respironics, Pride Mobility, Salter Labs, The Scooter Store, VGM
Homecare Champions: Georgie Blackburn, Randy Carson, Mary Ellen Conway, A.J. Filippis, Kevin Gaffney, Peter Kelly, Tom Kruse, Mike Marnhout, Scott Meuser, Tom Ryan, Danny Schaub
Industry Advocates: Ed & Sharon Gould, Jon Jasperson, Wayne Knewasser, Carol Laumer, Joel Marx, Joe Priest, Ron Richard, Joe Rolley
Patrons: William Bayer, Ty Bello, Tim Binkley, Rick Bohn, Lynn Bryson, Robin Campbell, Sandra Canally, KC Cooper, CJ Copley, Jason Davis, Harvey Diamond, Oana Dumitrescu, Richard Glass, David Guth, Diana Guth, Sarah Hanna, Karen Kaczmarek, Pam Kahler, Gail Kolb, George Kucka, Amy Leopard, Doug Lessa, Miriam Lieber, Connie Lind-Fraher, Jeff Lindsey, Joe Luciano, Ani Manougian, Kaye Martin, Michael McClendon, Joel Mills, Chris Onslow, Tim Pederson, Rich Pozesky, Michael Reinemer, Rose Schafhauser, Katherine Shellhouse, Gina Solari, Josette Sonekeo, Heidi Thometz, Todd Tyson, Colette Weil, Don White, Leila Wilkerson, John Wittenberg, Cindy Wolf, Marc Wolf
Industry Supporters:HME News, Homecare Magazine, Mobility Management, Respiratory Management
The following supported the Stand Up for Homecare Campaign in 2008:
Gold Sponsors: AOM Healthcare Solutions, Apria, Authentidate, Brown & Fortunato, Campania, Coast Medical Services, Covidien, Drive Medical, Holland Medical Equipment, Home Diagnostics, Inc., Invacare, Hoveround, Landauer Metropolitan, The MED Group, Medtrade/VNU, Midwest Association of Medical Equipment Services, Permobil, Philips Respironics, Pride Mobility Products, Salter Labs, SeQual, The Scooter Store, VGM, Wright & Filippis
Homecare Champions: Anthony Eafrati, LifeGas; Bill Elliot, The MED Group; Cathy Pereira, Home Diagnostics, Inc.; Charlie Barnes, Barnes Healthcare; Danny Schaub, Bay State Medical; David Petsch, Petsch Respiratory Services; Deric Rutledge, ACHC; Georgie Blackburn, BLACKBURN'S; Harvey Diamond, Drive Medical Design and Manufacturing; Joe Priest, AirSep; Joel Marx, Medical Service Co.; Kevin Gaffney, NBM/Medtrade; Laura McIlvaine, Shield Healthcare; Les DeFelice, DeFelice Care; Lynn Bryson, Roberts Home Medical; Mario LaCute, Seeley Medical; Mary Ellen Conway, Capital Healthcare Group; Peter Kelly, Pacific Pulmonary; Randy Wolfe, Lambert’s Health Care; Ron Bendell, VGM; Scott Meuser, Pride; Tim Livesay, Low Cost Mobility Services; Todd Blockinger, Medline Industries, Inc.; Todd Tyson, Hi-Tech Healthcare
Industry Advocates: Angelene Adler, Care Medical Equipment; Angie Fishel, Valley Home Care; Anthony LaCute, Seeley Medical; Asela Cuervo, Law Office of Asela Cuervo; Carol Laumer, Rice Home Medical; Charles Stocking, Principle Business Enterprises – Tran- Quality Products; Dan DeSimone, Continued Care of Long Island; Dave McCausland, The ROHO Group; David Hosemann, Hometown Medical LLC; Dennis Sharpe, MK Battery; Don Bates, Fuller Mobility; Gerald Sloan, Progressive Medical Equipment; Jackie Bolt, Carolina Homecare Medical Equipment Center; James McVey, Choice Medical; Jason Hall, Texas Home Medical, Inc.; Joe Petrolla, Seeley Medical; Joel Marx, Medical Service Company; Joel Mills, Advanced Home Care; John Shirvinsky, Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Services; John Wittenberg, Inventory Solutions, Inc.; Kentucky Medical Equipment Services Association; KC Cooper, KC Medical; Larry Johnson, Dependable Home Health; Les DeFelice, DeFeliceCare Inc.; M. Frank Heisey, Valley Regional Enterprises; Marcia Nusgart, Nusgart Consulting; Randy Carson, Smith & Nephew; Rick Glass, Steven Richards & Associates, Inc.; Rob Brant, City Medical; Terry Luft, Central Medical Equipment; Thomas Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimmons Home Medical Equipment; Tim Binkley, Valentines Diabetic Supply; Tim Inman, Virginia Home Medical; Tim Pederson, WestMed; Tim Pontius, TDP Management, LLC.; Todd Tyson, Hi-Tech Homecare; Tom Ryan, Homecare Concepts; Travis Godden, G-7 Medical Services; Wayne Knewasser, Premier Home Care; William Culberton, Community Home Care Services
Patrons: Amy Leopard, Walter & Haverfield, LLP; Bill Bayer, Medical Express; Carol Laumer, Rice Home Medical; Cary Harman, Campania Management; Charles Stocking, Principle Business Enterprises – Tran- Quality Products; Cheryl Simmons, Pacware Software Development; Christian Kiely, Fisher & Paykel; Cindy Wilson, UPMC Home Medical Equipment; Clark Matthews, Jr., Louis & Clark Drug; Colette Weil, Summit Marketing; Connie Lind-Fraher, A-1Home Healthcare; Dave Holtmeier; Dave Wentzka, All American Medical; Don Clayback, The MED Group; Doug Coleman, Major Medical Supply; Elena Cherny; Emmi Mieras, Advanced Medical Support, Inc.; Ester Apter, MedForce Technologies; Eugene Keans, Louis & Clark Drug; Gail Kolb, Can-Am Care, LLC; George Kucka, Fairmeadows Home Health Center; Georgie Blackburn, BLACKBURN’s; Gordy Fox, Home Care Delivered; Gregory Taylor, Home Care EveryWare; Heather Hooper, Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment, Inc.; Heidi Thometz, Computers Unlimited; Jack Evans, Global Media Marketing; Jamie Meyer, Home Care Delivered; Jane Bunch, Consultant; Janet Moore, Moores Home Health & Medical Supply; Jim Foskett; John Durkee, MedSage Technologies; John Geller, Medical Service Company; John Wittenberg, Inventory Solutions, Inc.; Judi Bayer, Medical Express; Kam Yuricich, Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services; Karyn Estrella, New England Medical Equipment Dealers Association; KC Cooper, KC Medical ; Larry de la Haba, Graham Field Health Products; Lauren Coiner, Home Care Delivered; Lelia Wilkerson, Heritage Medical Equipment and Supplies; Michael Santoli, Campania Management; Mike Cook, Hill Country Medical Equipment; Miriam Lieber, Lieber Consulting; Oana Dumitrescu, Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment, Inc.; Paul Hausman, ASAP Oxygen; Richard Safarz, Invacare; Rick Bohn, Smith Barney; Rick Canally, The Compliance Team; Rick Glass, Steven Richards & Associates; Rob Brant, City Medical Services; Robert Crump, Walter & Haverfield, LLP; Robin Campbell Computers; Rod Swets, Home Care EveryWare; Rose Schafhauser, Midwest Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers; Sandy Canally, The Compliance Team; Sarah Hanna, ECS Billing & Consulting; Tim Pontius, Steven Richards & Associates; Tracy Taylor, Home Care EveryWare; Ty Bello, Team@Work; Wayne Sale, Health First
Industry Supporters:HME News, Homecare Magazine, Mobility Management, Respiratory Management
As part of the Association’s ongoing communications efforts, we would like to give providers an opportunity to take a stand in your community. The homecare industry has been covered by major newspapers including the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, Atlanta Journal Constitution and other publications because of the competitive bidding program, fraud and abuse scandals, and other high profile programs and events. Even with the 18 month delay of competitive bidding, our industry faces tough public relations challenges. AAHomecare will continue to proactively reach out to the media, but we encourage you to do the same. AAHomecare is available to help you deliver a strong media message and has provided the following resources to help you share the benefits of homecare with the press and the general public. 
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