Sleep Manufacturers Unite in Alliance

[Wulfman]

And, just when you thought we only had to worry about ONE manufacturer.....

http://www.hhcdealer.com/news.php?p=28

Does the word "conspiracy" come to mind?

Den

[GoofyUT]

OMG!!!!!! WHAT A SURPRISE!!!!!

Resmed, Respironics, Invacare, PB,...................

Who'd a thunk it?????????

Chuck

[MaskedMechanic]

Looks like they want to ensure patients stay in a tight system controlled by the powers of the industry. It is interesting to note that Resmed is aways mentioning education but they do not link to cpaptalk.com.

[Wulfman]

Looks like they want to ensure patients stay in a tight system controlled by the powers of the industry. It is interesting to note that Resmed is aways mentioning education but they do not link to cpaptalk.com.

MM,

I'm inclined to believe that their would rather "educate" the insurance companies and legislators to their way of thinking.

Den

[OwlCreekObserver]

And, just when you thought we only had to worry about ONE manufacturer.....

http://www.hhcdealer.com/news.php?p=28

Does the word "conspiracy" come to mind?

Den

Heck, Wulfman, that's no conspiracy. That's just "proposed rules for competitive bidding as they relate to sleep disordered breathing."

Competitive bidding. What a hoot.

[NightHawkeye]

Great find Wulfman!

In case anybody had any doubts about who these companies consider their customers, they clearly defined their customers in this press release - physicians. (Note: NAMDRC is also an organization of physicians.)

• "Develop educational materials for Alliance customers regarding CMS’ proposed rules for competitive bidding and its impact."

• "Submit formal comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding proposed rules for competitive bidding as they relate to sleep disordered breathing. Additionally, the Alliance will encourage solicitation of comments on this subject from the pulmonary medicine societies, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the National Association of Medical Direction for Respiratory Care (NAMDRC). The Alliance will make copies of its comments available by the June 30, 2006 comment deadline;"

Is anyone besides me offended that the patient, the one who has to use the equipment and the one who must choose what to get, is not considered the customer? Is anyone surprised?

Regards,
Bill

[GoodKnight]

Hey Folks:

Do we dare use the L word:
Lobbyist

How about a Lobbyist group for us, the consumers?

[Wulfman]

Hey Folks:

Do we dare use the L word:
Lobbyist

How about a Lobbyist group for us, the consumers?

GK,

They're already using the profits from our purchases to pay for THEIR lobbyists.


As Bill pointed out, right now the "industry" is in several legislative fights over competitive bidding and cuts in medicare reimbursements for home oxygen. Most of these manufacturers also make oxygen equipment (oxygen concentrators, etc.), so they have a vested interest in that segment of the industry. My thoughts were that with their unified group and the significant growth in the CPAP therapy segment, they could be a formidable force to be reckoned with. It appears to me that ResMed is the driving force behind this alliance.

Den

[Goofproof]

ResMed is guilty of throwing the blood of their uses in the water, to create a feeding frenzy, noting the size of Sharks brains, it's no wonder, they are in a food frenzy.

It's not right or wrong, it's how much money your paid Lobbiests have to spread around, and as always, the spreader, has more than the spreadee (US). I am just thankful that when they reach into their Corp pockets, they won't have any of mine to spread.

We may have to send to Korea for our next CPAP.

Just to let you know how I operate, our local newspaper locked their Union people out and replaced them with unqualifyed people, That was 35 years ago, no non-union paper has been in my house since, and never will, and they think a Elephant remembers. Jim

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, CPAP

[WindFlyer]

Just like the AOPA is to pilots, I think we CPAP users need an organization to fight for our side and help keep corporate mongrels at bay. I haven't the time or the talent to form such an organization, but if a group of us out there ever did form a legitimate entity like that I'd gladly pay my dues to keep it going.

Just my two cents.