news-record.com

I want to take a moment to publicly thank Rep. Howard Coble for standing up for our state’s important medical equipment businesses like mine.

He is one of our elected officials supporting HR 3790, new legislation that is going to save jobs, protect patient choice and access and save taxpayer money.

HR 3790 corrects a horrific Medicare bidding program begun late last year which will put most home medical equipment service providers out of business, and reduce access to necessary medical equipment for seniors and people with disabilities.

The bidding program is so bad that it was originally rolled out once before in 2008, only to be halted by Congress after only two weeks.

Unless HR 3790 passes, our industry is set to see 500 small businesses close their doors throughout North Carolina through no fault of their own.

These are companies that have been valued parts of their communities for years, with a loyal customer base that would have to look to unproven, out-of-state providers for their oxygen, wheelchairs and other needs if this program is allowed to continue.

Please join me in thanking Rep. Coble for his brave support of his constituents.

Keith Blough
Greensboro