Congressman Price Speaks at MK Battery’s Medtrade Reception for HME & Non-profit Advocacy Groups

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 2, 2012 - Atlanta, GA—U.S. Congressman Tom Price of Georgia made a special speaking appearance at a Welcome Reception, hosted by California based MK Battery, just prior to the opening of Medtrade 2012.  Also speaking were industry leaders from NCART, NRRTS and AAHomecare.  Special guests attending included HME industry executives and representatives of nine national non-profit healthcare advocacy organizations who were there to take part in the tradeshow’s first ever Consumer Advocacy Pavilion, also sponsored by MK Battery in cooperation with Medtrade.

Congressman Price provided an update to his H. R. 6490 bill that amends the current law to establish a market pricing program as a replacement for the competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies under part B of the Medicare program.  He called on all in attendance to return to their districts and solicit more congressional sponsors for the bill.

“The Consumer Advocacy Pavilion was the newest addition to MK Battery’s Power for Funding campaign, now in its third year,” said Wayne Merdinger, VP of Business Development and International Sales for MK Battery.  “The inclusion of these advocacy groups at Medtrade allowed the HME industry to raise awareness, share ideas and, hopefully, speak with a louder voice for a more collective approach to advancing positive legislative outcomes.”  The participating groups included American Sleep Apnea Association, COPD Foundation, ITEM Coalition (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid), Muscular Dystrophy Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Shepherd Center/Touch the Future, United Cerebral Palsy, and UsersFirst (a program of United Spinal Association).  

In addition to the $150,000 donated to industry groups over the past two years, MK Battery, together with their co-sponsors, contributed nearly $50,000 directly to these consumer groups in presentations made right on the show floor this year.  “We really appreciated being part of the inaugural Consumer Advocacy Pavilion and your contribution will certainly help UsersFirst continue their grassroots efforts to help get appropriate equipment for people with disabilities,” wrote Ann Eubank, VP Community Initiatives for UsersFirst.  And Medtrade Group Show Director Kevin Gaffney stated, “A special thanks to MK Battery for their passion to support the industry through the Power for Funding initiative and the new Medtrade Advocacy Pavilion.”

About Medtrade 2012

Medtrade is the largest tradeshow in the world focused exclusively on the home medical equipment market and is designed to provide high quality and effective sales, marketing, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities.  The 2012 show was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, October 16-18.  For more information visit http://www.medtrade.com/

About MK Battery

MK Battery, founded in 1983, markets sealed batteries for power mobility equipment and a variety of other applications through O.E.M.'s, distributors and dealers.  Headquartered in Anaheim, California, MK Battery operates 27 distribution centers in the USA, Europe, and Australia.  MK Battery brands are sold and distributed on all seven continents.  For more information call: 800.372.9253, email: info@mkbattery.com or visit http://www.mkbattery.com

Photo:
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