[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PRESERVING ACCESS TO CARE IN THE HOME ACT OF 1999

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to commend my colleague 
Senator James Jeffords of Vermont on legislation he introduced that 
makes several important first steps in addressing some serious access 
problems in the Medicare home health care program. Senator Jeffords' 
legislation, the Preserving Access to Care in the Home (PATCH) Act of 
1999, contains several important provisions to ensure that all Medicare 
beneficiaries have access to home health services.
  Mr. President, I have been working to promote the availability of 
home care and long-term care options for my entire public life. I 
believe it is vitally important that we in Congress work to enable 
people to stay in their own homes. Ensuring the availability of home 
health services is integral to preserving independence, dignity and 
hope for some of our frailest and most vulnerable fellow Americans. I 
feel strongly that where there is a choice, we should do our best to 
allow patients to choose home health care. I think Seniors need and 
deserve that choice. I applaud Senator Jeffords for his leadership on 
this issue, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that 
Seniors have access to the care that they need.

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