[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          INTRODUCTION OF HOME HEALTH ACCESS PRESERVATION ACT

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                           HON. VAN HILLEARY

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) made many 
changes to Medicare and the home health industry. These changes 
decimated the system and have left behind them a long list of closed 
home health agencies and patients without care. In response, many of us 
in Congress desperately sought a solution. Unfortunately, we were 
unable to come up with one true vehicle that could pass into law.
  This year we come back again. Our efforts will be just as aggressive 
but a little wiser. Instead of competing against one another, we in 
Congress will now work together to fix the problem. That is why I have 
joined with Congressmen McGovern, Coburn, and Weygand to craft 
legislation that will help our seniors in need. Joined by Congressmen 
Rahall, McIntosh, Hooley, Wamp, Barton, and Ackerman, we plan to push 
forward legislation that aims to help the neediest of home health 
beneficiaries and agencies.
  The first patients that will receive the aid are those that are 
considered ``outliers.'' Outliers are patients who have unusually high 
cost maladies. Under the BBA system, many agencies are unable to give 
them care at the risk of being run out of business because they are so 
cost prohibitive. We create a system that sets aside 10 specific 
ailments that would make a person eligible to receive this outlier 
status. Once they are identified as an outlier, agencies who take these 
individuals could draw from a newly established $250,000,000 Medicare 
fund to cover the added expenses. This will mean more of our poorest, 
oldest, and sickest receiving the medical coverage they so desperately 
need.
  Another benefit of this legislation will be the establishment of a 
repayment plan for agencies who have been treating these individuals. 
Many of them are now almost out of business due to their charity and 
the inaccuracies of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in 
assessing their plight. We offer an interest-free 36-month grace period 
to these agencies in order to repay these overpayments and settle any 
miscalculations on behalf of HCFA.
  I urge all other Members who see the need for a reform in home health 
to back this legislation. The Home Health Access Preservation Act of 
1999 is a common sense way to help our seniors in their time of need.




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