AAHomecare Blog: Register Today: Join Your Colleagues at the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference

Fight for HME: Join Your Colleagues at the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference

Westin Washington DC City Center Hotel
March 16-17, 2011 – Register today!

Don’t miss your chance to promote and protect the future of homecare. Attend the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference March 16-17 and join with colleagues on Capitol Hill to make the case for HME.

With 13 new Senators and 94 new Representatives in the 112th Congress, this year's legislative conference provides a unique opportunity for HME community to educate this large group of new legislators, while strengthening important relationships with veteran members of Congress.

Registration rates have been reduced up to 30% from last years conference – discount vs. 2010 rates noted in parentheses below. Register by February 9 for greatest savings. Click here to register.

Early Bird Rate Program Registration Rate through February 9, 2011:
■ AAHomecare Members -- $195 (30% discount compared to 2010)
■ Non-Members -- $305 (19%)

After February 9, 2011:
■ AAHomecare Members -- $245 (25%)
■ Non-Members -- $355 (17%)

Reserve your room at the Westin Washington, DC City Center by Feb. 20 to receive special rate of $249/night, single/double occupancy – your reservations at 1-800-WESTIN-1 (937-8461) or 1-888-627-9035.

Many participants should be able to shorten their stay to ONE night thanks to the condensed schedule of events.

Wednesday, March 16

7:30 am – 9:00 am – Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors – sponsored by Medtrade

7:30 am – 5:45 pm – HME Manufacturers Exhibits – Representatives from HME manufacturers and other suppliers to the industry will be exhibiting their products and services during the Welcome Reception.

9:30 – 11:00 am – Advisory Council Meetings – Complex Rehab & Mobility Council and State Leaders' Advisory Council meetings scheduled

11:45 am – 5:00 pm – Legislative Conference General Session

Currently confirmed speakers include:

Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA)
Representative Tom Price (R-GA)
Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA)

Other House and Senate policymakers and staff will also share their insights on the legislative and regulatory landscape in Washington and how issues critical to the HME community (competitive bidding, oxygen reimbursement and reform, power mobility, medical supplies, anti-fraud and abuse initiatives) will be affected by healthcare reform, Medicare legislation and other Capitol Hill activity.

AAHomecare legislative staff and other lobbying and communications experts will brief attendees on the HME issues that are to be discussed the following day on Capitol Hill. Issue papers and talking points will be distributed. Industry experts will discuss the many facets of the HME issues that will be the focus of lobbying efforts when attendees visit the House and Senate offices on Wednesday. There will also be a sessions on effective lobbying and communications techniques.

AAHomecare Annual Business Meeting – All AAHomecare member companies will want to participate in the annual business meeting during which directors for the organization’s board will be elected.

5:00 – 5:45 pm – Legislative Conference Welcome Reception

6:00 – 8:00 pm – AAHomecare Political Action Committee (PAC) Reception – Political contributions to lawmakers from trade association PACs are a critical tool in effective lobbying in Washington, DC. This event will allow attendees an opportunity to support AAHomecare’s PAC. (Personal contributions only, no corporate contributions permitted.) Special thanks to Invacare for their support of this event.

Thursday, March 17

7:00 – 8:00 am – Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 9:00 am – Capitol Hill Day General Session & Send-off

9:30 am – 4:00 pm – Capitol Hill Appointments – With the help of pre-set appointments, courtesy of the VGM appointments concierge, attendees should be able to visit all of their key House and Senate offices.

In between appointments, attendees can get refreshments, pull up a chair, complete their Hill visit appointment forms or adjust their meeting schedule by stopping by the Bolton Room at the Capitol Hill Club, 300 First Street SE, Washington DC, between 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. The Club is diagonally across the Cannon House Office Building.

4:30 – 5:30 pm – Capitol Hill Reception (Capitol—House-side, Room TBD)

Register for the Legislative Conference today! Contact Ashley Wyatt at ashleyw@aahomecare.org with any questions or special requests.

Special thanks to our exhibitors and sponsors: