WASHINGTON - A Senate Finance Committee report released last week that outlines options for financing healthcare reform names HME reimbursement as a possible revenue source, but it doesn't propose specific cuts.

via Cuts to HME: Reform report leaves door ‘wide open’ - HME News | The Business Newspaper for Home Medical Equipment Providers.

The healthcare system in France is the envy of most developed countries of the world. France is also the worlds 5th largest country in terms of GDP.

This makes the above event one of the world’s top events from a business potential for those that have an interest in the rapidly expanding healthcare sectors concerning geriatrics, disability, homecare and institutional care - as the ageing population moves from acute to chronic care.

GerontExpo-handicap provides a venue for updating on the latest technologies, products, policies and trends as well as providing significant business opportunities for either manufacturers, distributors or service providers to significantly enhance their business by finding the right business partners in France and internationally.

As a plus HIT 2009 (Health Information Technologies) - will take place in the same venue and will be linked to GerontExpo-Handicap. HIT represents the rapidly growing French Healthcare IT industry and is expected to have over 100 participating companies - large and small.

Frank Barlin - Sibaya LifeScience! Managing Partner will be attending and can be contacted here.

Days Healthcare Germany - according to this announcement on their website has announced that they will be closing their German business effective end June. Days Healthcare Germany is part of the Irish multinational DCC group and was formerly known as Casacare.
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Press release:

Uneven terrains, door thresholds, kerbs, changes in pavement heights and driving surfaces can pose some serious challenges for wheelchair users. A new ISO standard will measure the ability of electrically powered wheelchairs, including scooters, to safely climb and descend such obstacles.

Electrically powered wheelchair ISO 7176-10:2008, Wheelchairs – Part 10: Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electrically powered wheelchairs, provides a reliable method for determining the obstacle-climbing and descending ability of electrically powered wheelchairs intended to carry one person. The standard specifies requirements for test equipment, outlines test procedures, and provides specifications for reporting test results.
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Dan Meuser, until recently President at Pride Mobility, is now focusing his time 100% on state GOP politics. More at The Bulletin. Hopefully with his experience he can help bring better quality and cost effective healthcare to those that need it - especially the 40 million uninsured Americans.

There is an interesting article by Susan Okie, M.D. in The New England Journal of Medicine talking about the benefits of treating some patients at home.

Not only is homecare more economical but can spare elderly patients traumatic 911 calls and emergency room visits which sometimes are counterproductive.

The benefit of homecare is however directly related to the quality of care the various homecare service organizations can provide. Needless to say there is a shortage of these services… so far.

Well worth reading.

The two largest mobility, rehabilitation and homecare trade events will be held in October 2008. Either meetings are must attends for anyone interested in this growing industry, whether it is purely for information, seeking new business partners or getting an update on the competitive environment.

Rehacare will take place in Dusseldorf, Germany from 15-18 October 2008.

Medtrade will be held from October 27-30 in the usual venue in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Sibaya LifeScience will be attending the Düsseldorf Rehacare show. Sibaya contact details are here.