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VGM Government Relations

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VGM Government Relations is committed to fighting for the success of the Home Medical Equipment Industry. and coast to coast.

VGM Government Relations is a major participant in fulfilling the advocacy goals for VGM and its members, and is vital for the future of independent home medical equipment, rehab and O&P providers. The mission of the Government Relations department is to develop and maintain positive relationship with policy makers, community leaders, DME providers, and industry trade associations, and to work with them to promote the DME industry. To accomplish its mission, the Government Relations department works to identify laws, regulations or issues that will directly impact the DME industry; develops and maintains relationships with elected officials in order to develop trust and enhance communications; and develops and maintains relationships with its members and industry trade associations to communicate important information relating to the industry. In 2002, VGM created the position of Vice President – Government Relations and hired John Gallagher to fill this important position. As a veteran of the medical products industry and with experience lobbying for independent businesses in Washington, Gallagher was the perfect fit. Since his hiring, Gallagher has amassed thousands of frequent flier miles traveling back and forth to Washington D.C. He has met with government officials including the United States President, the Senate Finance Committee Chairman, the House Majority and Minority leaders, officials at the Congressional Budget Office and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and many more. His discussions with the government officials always make the case for preserving the ability of the independent dealer to survive and thrive in this marketplace, and ensuring access to quality care and equipment to those who require DME equipment. Gallagher is also a frequent speaker at industry trade association meetings across the country where he presents on the current status of the legislative environment, regulatory issues, and the importance of grassroots. He is also a board member of the Healthcare Quality Association for Accreditation (HQAA) and the Fraud Eradication Advisory Team (FEAT).

10/27/2026

HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections

As policymakers at both the federal and state levels continue to shape healthcare policy, it is more important than ever for HME suppliers to stay informed and engaged. Decisions made by elected officials can have a significant impact on patient access to care, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and the future of the home medical equipment industry.

This guide is designed to help suppliers better understand the policy landscape and identify opportunities for civic engagement. Within this guide, you will find:

Links to voter registration and election resources for every state.
Information on key HME-related legislation and the lawmakers who support these efforts.
A state-by-state overview of legislators who have championed policies important to the HME community.

Click here to view the HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections:

Explore the HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections, featuring advocacy resources, legislative updates, voter information, and policy insights.

10/22/2026

A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment- Matthew Flatt
In every industry, there are people who do more than simply lead organizations. They inspire progress, build relationships, and create lasting change. In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, Matthew Flatt, CEO of Medicap Home Medical (formerly NuCara Home Medical) and President of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES), is one of those individuals.

Throughout his career, Matt has been driven by a simple but powerful belief: patients deserve access to the care and equipment they need to live safely, independently, and with dignity in their own homes. Whether leading Medicap Home Medical or serving as President of MAMES, his focus has never wavered from the people at the center of healthcare: the patients and families who rely on home medical equipment every day.

Matt has never been afraid to address difficult issues, including the growing influence of third-party administrators (TPAs) on patient care and provider operations. As Iowa joins other states working to combat TPA intrusion, Matt has been a thoughtful advocate for protecting patient choice and ensuring health care decisions remain in the hands of patients, providers, and clinicians.

Click here to read the full story:
https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/matthew-flatt-a-champion-for-change-in-home-medical-equipment-/

10/21/2026

Showing Up...It Matters!
We've all heard the phrase, "Showing up matters." That can mean a lot of different things at different times in our lives, even changing daily. Perhaps it means leaving work early to attend your children's event. Maybe it means not missing that important meeting at work. No doubt, both of those things are important. For us here in the Government Relations corner of VGM Group, it means something additional. Read full article here: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/showing-upit-matters/

10/13/2026

Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies

The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare competitive acquisition programs for five years.

Click here to read the full article:

The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to...

10/08/2026

CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows:

December 1, 2026: Bidding registration for Round 2028 opens

January 5, 2027: Bid window opens
February 1, 2027: Bidding registration for Round 2028 closes
February 8, 2027: Covered Document Review Date
March 10, 2027: Bid window closes
Per CMS, the revised bid window will give bidders additional time to prepare.

Full article can be viewed here:

Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows...

10/05/2026

The miles add up, but so does the impact. Adam Miller is on the road again this week, keeping the momentum going for DME advocacy at the state level. Following productive discussions in West Virginia focused on reimbursement challenges, rising costs, patient access, and the future of the competitive bidding program, the work continues with in-state meetings and relationship-building efforts across the country. Advocacy doesn't happen only in Washington, D.C. It happens in communities nationwide, where providers can share firsthand how policy decisions impact patients and businesses every day. Next stop for Adam is Illinois. Looking forward to more conversations with providers and policymakers about protecting access to quality home medical equipment and services.

10/01/2026

Breaking News! S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate

S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 has passed in the Senate through unanimous consent. It now heads to the President to be signed into law. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), The Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 would:

Direct CMS to establish separate HCPCS codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on construction materials.
Create distinctions for titanium and carbon-fiber wheelchair bases.
Allow suppliers to charge beneficiaries the difference between Medicare payment and the actual cost of certain premium wheelchairs.
Include beneficiary notification and protection requirements.

The House bill, H.R 1703, was introduced by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) and passed the House on July 20, 2026.

For the CRT community, this development is the culmination of focused, years-long advocacy by providers, manufacturers, industry stakeholders such as VGM, AAHomecare, NCART, The ITEM Coalition and patient advocacy groups.

These efforts seek to align Medicare reimbursement policies with advances in wheelchair technology and for policy that recognizes the clinical benefits of lightweight, customizable mobility equipment. If signed into law, the legislation could increase beneficiary access to premium wheelchair options while creating clearer reimbursement pathways for suppliers.

VGM Government will provide updates as they become available.

09/28/2026

Congratulations to CAMPS (California Association of Medical Product Suppliers) on the signing of AB 1794 by Governor Newsom!

This important legislative victory creates a clearer pathway for the home delivery of medically necessary enteral nutrition products, helping reduce barriers for patients who rely on these essential supplies.

It's also a great example of the impact a strong state association can have. State associations play a critical role in shaping healthcare policy, advocating for providers, and ensuring patients have access to the care and services they need.

Congratulations to the CAMPS leadership, members, and industry partners who helped make this achievement possible.

09/23/2026

August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy

As Congress worked through the August recess, the VGM Government Relations team remained actively engaged in securing meetings and building relationships with legislators, candidates, and key congressional staff across the country. This summer, the team made a strategic decision to focus getting a strong balance between Republican and Democratic offices, recognizing the importance of broadening support for DMEPOS priorities and ensuring policymakers from both parties understand the challenges facing providers and the patients they serve.

Read full article here: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/august-recess-recap-building-relationships-advancing-advocacy-/

09/21/2026

We recently launched Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters, a new initiative designed to collect real experiences that highlight the value of home medical equipment and the impact it has on patients' lives. These stories help put a human face on the issues we advocate for every day.

Read more and learn how you can share your story: https://bit.ly/4yJvpui

Address

1111 Van Miller Way
Waterloo, IA
50701

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Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

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