Medicare wants to restart a flawed program called “Competitive Bidding” that sets rates for durable medical equipment (DME) & supplies by awarding a few contracts to the companies who bid the lowest – regardless of the true costs of providing quality care. In the past, this excluded 75% of DME suppliers from being able to provide care for end users & resulted in 37% of DME locations closing across the country, leaving end users with fewer choices, longer wait times, or no access at all.

After pausing the program due to problems, Medicare wants to restart it with changes that would make access even worse. Over 10,000 comments were submitted by the public largely opposing the proposed rule in July-August 2025.  Now, it’s important that you ask your Representative and Senators to weigh in with Medicare before it releases the final rule this Fall.  

We need your help!  

Please edit the template message with your story and perspectives – how this will negatively impact you or a loved one – and urge your elected officials to protect your community’s access to the products and services you need to manage your medical needs at home. 

Key things to include:

• What durable medical equipment (DME) & supplies do you or a loved one use?
• How important is the relationship you have with your trusted DME supplier to receive quality products, support, & expertise? What makes their services important to you?
• If you’ve had trouble getting equipment in past rounds of the bid program, what happened?
• How would it affect you if you couldn’t use your supplier or had fewer options?
• What worries you most about the bid program Medicare proposes?
   

Be sure to also include your “ask” – that they not move forward with the proposed rule as written.

Thank you for lending your voice to help ensure that DME suppliers can maintain strong access to high-quality, home-based care for millions of Americans and their caregivers.