Cape Medical Supply Travels to Beacon Hill to Meet on State Healthcare Policies
Published on Monday, March 15, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sandwich, MA – March 15, 2010
Cape Medical Supply Travels to Beacon Hill to Meet on State Healthcare Policies
Cape Medical Supply Chief Executive Officer Gary Sheehan travelled to Beacon Hill with members of the New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) to discuss concerns with proposed MA Health Legislation. Changes, including reimbursement cuts ranging from 5 – 20%, as well as additional administrative requirements, continue to divert dollars away from organizations that provide care in the lowest cost setting, and add layers of administrative expenses which are a cost center which add no value for patients, the healthcare system and take no steps to produce higher quality health outcomes.
“We had a productive meeting with House Speaker DeLeo and a member of his staff, who was very engaging and seemed to understand that homecare products and services provide costs savings for the overall healthcare system, rather than being a strict cost center,” comments CEO Gary Sheehan. “We also had the pleasure to spend some time with Representative Kafka; Senator O’Leary and his office staff made time to meet with me and hear our concerns. Legislative issues are taking up an ever increasing share of our time; however we are fighting for our survival and for the care of the patients we have been dedicated to since 1977.”
The MA Medicaid budget is currently in the neighborhood of $1 Billion, with durable medical equipment comprising approximately $40 million of that, or ½ of 1%. Homecare products and services continue to be the most cost effective way forward for our state’s and nation’s healthcare system. Comprehensive homecare is carried out through a number of different agency partners, who continue to deliver low cost care to MA seniors and disabled in the setting they prefer, their homes.
Cape Medical Supply representatives continue to meet with state and federal policy makers to advocate for the rights of their patients and the families they provide services to. Additionally, with over 45 employees, Cape Medical Supply employs a high quality labor force. Continued cuts threaten not only the services the company can provide to their patients, but also the jobs they provide within the community. The company urges lawmakers at all levels to better familiarize themselves with this subsector of health services and take a broader view as they look to reduce healthcare expenditures and bend the proverbial ‘cost curve.’
To arrange for an interview or for more information on this release you can contact Cape Medical Supply, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Gary Sheehan directly at gsheehan@capemedical.net.
About Cape Medical Supply, Inc: Cape Medical Supply is the premiere provider of respiratory care and durable medical equipment in Southeastern MA. At their headquarters Cape Medical Supply has over 10,000 square feet of warehouse space stocked with home medical equipment and respiratory care goods. The specific products are too numerous to mention, but most fall into the following categories; Home Oxygen Products, Sleep Apnea Products (CPAP/Bi-PAP), Bathroom Safety Equipment, Hospital Beds, Orthopedic Goods (Splints and Braces), Mobility Aids, Seat-Lift Chairs, Aids-to-Daily-Living, Specialty Pillows, and much more.
These products treat conditions from COPD, to Sleep Apnea, to mobility impairment – and many more, and do so at greatly reduced expense to both the patients and healthcare system by providing a safe home environment where the user can rest safely and comfortably. More than the products, Cape Medical Supply takes great pride in the Team Members who work with their patients, customers and referral sources; it is these people, their skill, compassion, dedication and experience that have made Cape Medical Supply the widely recognized leader in the communities they serve. Family owned and operated since 1977, ownership and employees are very active in community affairs and the company takes great pride in their civic involvement and charitable giving.
For more information please visit their website at www.capemedical.com or their online media kit at www.capemedical.com/media-kit
Recent Awards and Honors:
2007, 2008, 2009 Inc. 5,000 Honoree, Fastest Growing Private Companies in the United States
2008 Planned Giving Council of Cape Cod, Outstanding Business
2009 HME Excellence Awards Runner-Up, Best Home Medical Equipment Company in the United States
2009 SCORE/Sandwich Chamber of Commerce, Build a Better Mousetrap Award Winner
2009 NEMED Member of the Year
