[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1673-E1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          RECOGNIZING THE PLIGHT OF HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCIES

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                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, there is a growing concern over 
the devastating situation that is plaguing Home Health Care Agencies in 
this country.
  Today I am introducing the Medicare Home Health Services Equity Act 
of 1999 to provide greater equity to Medicare-certified home health 
agencies, and to ensure access to medicare beneficiaries to medically 
necessary home health services furnished in an efficient manner under 
the Medicare Program.
  Quality, efficient home health care agencies are suffering under the 
punitive Interim Payment System and are going out of business.

[[Page E1674]]

The per beneficiary limits imposed on home health agencies do not, for 
a great number of agencies, accurately reflect the costs necessarily 
incurred in the efficient delivery of needed home health services to 
beneficiaries.
  The amount of reductions in reimbursement for home health services 
furnished under the Medicare program significantly exceeds the amount 
of reduction in reimbursement for any other service furnished under the 
Medicare program. This comes at a time when the need for home health 
services by the Nation's elderly citizens is growing.
  Although this is a nation-wide problem, the impact on my home state 
of Oklahoma has been disproportionately high. In Oklahoma alone, 198 of 
the 381 licensed home health care agencies have been forced to close 
their doors, of which 146 were Medicare certified.
  Surviving home health agencies which have managed to stay in business 
have curtailed their medical services due to financial constraints. As 
a result of this terrible tragedy, the sickest, most frail Medicare 
beneficiaries are being deprived access to medically necessary home 
health services. Thousands of elderly and disabled Americans are not 
receiving the type of quality care at home that they so much need and 
deserve.
  In our efforts to end fraud and abuse, we must make certain that the 
benefits and much needed services of home health agencies are not lost. 
Home health care is the least expensive, most cost efficient provider 
of medical services for Medicare beneficiaries and must be preserved.
  For that reason, I am introducing the Medicare Home Health Services 
Equity Act of 1999. It is critically important that we address this 
crisis promptly and pass this vital legislation.

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