Small Businesses Power Home-Based Care
Small and community-based suppliers are essential to the HME Industry’s ability to deliver home-based care, but the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) Remote Item Delivery (RID) model risks sidelining the very suppliers that make that care possible. Protecting small DME providers is critical to preserving access, choice, and system resilience.
Join us in advocating for meaningful changes to the CBP to enable small businesses to meaningfully participate and protect end user access and choice.
Protect Small Businesses
What’s at Stake Under the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP):
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is moving forward with a new “Remote Item Delivery” model for the next round of the CBP. This model would drastically consolidate the supplier base.
- National contract conditions limit participation.
- Structural barriers makes it difficult for small suppliers to compete.
- Reduced suppliers increases risk, fragility, and access gaps.
85 %
of DME suppliers are small businesses per the SBA
38 %
of DME locations closed since 2013 past CBP rounds
< 10
national contracts will be rewarded in CBP RID per category
Advocacy Resources for Small Businesses
Leverage our turnkey talking points and guidance on how to engage the Small Business Administration, activate the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and share your story with Congress. Your voice matters!
Engaging SBA & NFIB (with template e-mail!)
A practical roadmap showing DME small businesses how to share their experiences with the SBA and NFIB to influence federal rules, protect local suppliers, and preserve access.
Small Business CBP Talking Points Guide
A concise resource to help stakeholders clearly communicate the value of small DME suppliers, the barriers they face, and what’s at stake for patient access and local communities.
DME Proposed Rule Small Business Fact Sheet (Oct ‘25)
An analysis showing how Competitive Bidding disproportionately harms small DME suppliers, threatens access, and fails to meet legal requirements to assess and mitigate impacts on small businesses.
How You Can Help
Attend WLC
Join us at the Washington Legislative Conference and engage your legislators.
Celebrate National Small Business Week: May 3-9, 2026
Recognizing the Impact of Small Businesses
We celebrate the essential role of small DME suppliers this National Small Business Week May 3-9. Protecting their ability to serve their communities has never been more important.
National Small Business Week is about more than recognition – it’s about ensuring small businesses can continue to compete, grow, and serve their communities. In the DME Industry, that means addressing policies like CBP’s Remote Item Delivery model, which risks limiting small supplier participation and reshaping access to home-based care.
61 M
Americans are employed by small businesses
43 %
of the USA GDP is driven by small businesses
2/3
of all new jobs are created by small businesses in the US
“Small businesses power our economy from the ground up, driving innovation & building products that keep America strong, competitive, and secure.” – The White House 2025
Social Posts
Join the conversation on social media this May in honoring the important role of small suppliers as we celebrate National Small Business Week! Use these turnkey posts on your social platforms, using #AAHomecare, #SmallBusinessWeek, #NSBW, and tag @AAHomecare!
Message:
Did you know 85% of home medical equipment providers are small, community-based businesses? These companies re the backbone of home-based care, helping people get the products, support,
and services they need to live safely at home.
This National Small Business Week, we’re proud to be part of a network that keeps communities healthy and cared for.
Message:
Every day, small and community-based home medical equipment providers across the country help people stay safe and independent at home.
During National Small Business Week 2026, we celebrate the care, dedication, and personal touch that small businesses bring to communities like ours, and we thank you for letting us be part of your homecare journey.
Message:
Behind every home delivery and each personalized care plan is a small business committed to your health.
National Small Business Week is a chance to recognize the vital role local HME providers and your clinical care team play in keeping people safe, supported, and independent at home. Together, we make home-based care possible for countless families across America.