NHIA Working for You!
NHIA’s Legislative Advocacy Team Discusses Health Care Reform and Grassroots Activity at 2010 Annual Conference and Exposition
(April 14, 2010)
NHIA achieved tremendous congressional support for Medicare home infusion legislation from both the House and the Senate in 2009. However, Medicare coverage for home infusion was not included in the final version of the health care reform legislation recently signed into law by President Obama.
“Despite our aggressive efforts and the tremendous support we attained, we lacked the industry data needed to satisfy some in the 111th Congress regarding the true cost savings associated with home infusion therapy,” explained NHIA President Russ Bodoff. “Eventual legislative success will only occur if members participate in the study underway to capture data that demonstrates the high-quality, cost-effective alternative of home infusion. Collecting this data will not be easy, but it must be done.”
In addition, he continued, NHIA needs many patient stories to make this a human issue for lawmakers. The association has 12 documented patient stories that have been effective so far, but intends to collect one from each congressional district. “We need YOU to help achieve this goal.”
Bodoff then called on other members of the NHIA Advocacy Team to review the latest developments taking place following the passing of the historical health care reform bill, assess what is needed to achieve advocacy success moving forward, and review what each attendee must do to make passage of our Medicare legislation in the second year of the 111th Congress a reality.
“Home infusion should fit well into a more rational health care system, which is where health care reform changes are taking us,” explained Alan Parver, Esq., NHIA’s Outside Legal Counsel and Policy Advisor. “But it won’t happen on its own.”
The reform package provides new tools for policymakers to refine the way health care services are reimbursed, Parver explained. By removing silos of care and asking providers to assume more responsibility—and risk—many provisions of the new law aim to make patient care more fluid with the goal of containing costs.
“The best selling point for us is that when properly provided, home infusion is a cost saver,” Parver concluded. “We need data to explain the value of home infusion at the policy level to the federal government and other stakeholders.”
John Magnuson, NHIA’s Vice President of Legislative Affairs, then offered key insights about the association’s advocacy efforts. “We are now just inches and a field goal away from substantial victory for our field,” said Magnuson, explaining that the strategy for the second half of the 111th Congress is to pursue a demonstration project that will provide much-needed data for the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
He closed by offering some grassroots challenges to NHIA members in the audience so they can continue to carry the message of quality, cost-effective care to their lawmakers. “Integrate our legislative goals into your corporate culture and strategic planning and invite and involve your employees to support our advocacy efforts,” Magnuson urged. “In addition, provide opportunities to build relationships and be involved, share your experience in your local community, and educate everyone in your personal sphere of influence about home infusion.
“We already have a strong foundation in place,” concluded Bodoff. “Let’s work together on creating the building blocks needed to get this new frontier of our Medicare legislation passed.”
Also in the session, a panel of advocacy experts, including the NHIA Legislative Team and members of the Board’s Government Affairs Committee, answered some detailed legislative and advocacy questions from the audience.