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Fighting for Home PN Access: Advocating for Change in Colorado and Beyond

Left to right: The Gutknecht Family of Colorado, Colorado State Senator Cleave Simpson, Dr. Lindsey Gumer (Denver Children’s Hospital), Connie Sullivan (NHIA), Allie Hoepker (Amerita), and Shane O’Connor (Option Care Health)

On February 26, 2025 , members of our community took the fight for home parenteral nutrition (PN) access to the Colorado State Senate.

Connie Sullivan, President of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), alongside clinicians from Amerita and Option Care Health, testified before lawmakers about the rising costs of providing home PN. Their message was clear: shortages, regulations, and inadequate reimbursement rates are driving providers out of the market, creating monopolies or oligopolies in multiple states and putting patients at potential risk.

Dr. Lindsey Gumer, a physician at Denver Children’s Hospital and member of Oley’s Clinical Advisory Committee, led the charge by introducing SB25084. This bill brings critical awareness to the challenges faced by patients who rely on home PN for survival. Several Colorado patients shared their personal stories in support of the bill, including one young child who sat beside her mother as she testified—putting a face to the real-life consequences of these systemic issues.

What triggered this was that until recently there were three home infusion providers that took Colorado state Medicaid. Now there is only one.

Oley’s CEO, Beth Gore, was invited to provide a national perspective, reinforcing that Colorado’s crisis is not unique. She thanked legislators and supporters for their leadership, noting that this bill could become a model for other states facing similar challenges.

While the focus of this hearing was Colorado state Medicaid, we see this as just the beginning. Beth has already started having meetings with state legislatures in Florida, the third biggest state by population and her home state. Once we have a blueprint that works in one or more states, we will write an action plan so you can help in your state.

Oley remains committed to working alongside Dr. Gumer, NHIA, and ASPEN to push for sustainable reimbursement policies that protect access to life-sustaining care.

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