[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GREAT PLAINS AND PANHANDLE HEALTH SERVICES

                                 ______


                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated 
professionals in the home health care industry. Across the Nation, one 
of the great concerns is the fear of not being able to receive high-
quality yet affordable health care. In the search for one of the most 
effective ways to provide this, one need not look to the future, but 
rather to our history and to the oldest tradition of health service 
delivery--Home Health Care. This time-honored tradition of allowing the 
elderly, disabled, and ill to remain in the comfort of their own homes 
and receive the medical assistance they need has proven to be one of 
the most cost-effective and beneficial prescriptions a doctor can 
dispense.
  Allowing a patient to stay in their own familiar surroundings allows 
them to retain their dignity and sense of independence, while still 
receiving quality medical services. It also allows them to be 
surrounded by loved ones and family which helps to maintain the ever 
important family union which can play such a key role in helping to 
recover from an illness.
  In the United States today, home health care is regaining the 
popularity which it once had. As the desire for this important care 
increases, home care agencies across the country have met the challenge 
and now offer a full range of valuable services from skilled nursing 
and social services to physical, occupational and speech therapies. 
Nationwide there are over 17,500 agencies which help provide home care 
and this proven alternative to lengthy hospital stays now accounts for 
an estimated $27 billion of the resources spent on health care, as they 
provide services to over 7 million Americans.
  This growing segment of our health care industry deserves to be 
recognized for its continuing effort to provide affordable and quality 
care to those in need. We, in Congress and throughout America, can lead 
the effort to recognize home care agencies and the valuable and cost-
effective health care resources which they provide. I call on all 
Americans to support these valuable agencies and providers who work to 
enhance the lives of those ill and disabled who are in need of home 
care assistance. In so doing, I salute all who provide home health 
care.

                          ____________________