Today we had a chance to meet with legislative staff regarding access to health care services. Our role at these meetings is to represent the COPD patient and family perspective clearly and succinctly -- which we consider it an honor to do.
We spoke about what DME services "really" do (this is not just a delivery service like Amazon Prime!) and the negative impact additional reductions in DME reimbursement would have on those with COPD, particularly in rural areas (e.g., reduced choice, increased response times, reduction in skilled workforce). We tried to connect the dots between reduced access to home care and poorer health outcomes, including hospitalizations and rehospitalizations.
The bottom line: this is not just an annoyance for individuals who need this care. In many cases, it is a literal lifeline.
What would you say to lawmakers if you had a few minutes in their offices?