[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E129-E130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDED IN-HOME CARE FOR 
                              THE ELDERLY

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support of Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly. this 
legislation essentially highlights the inadequacies seniors face with 
electing in-home care. By increasing financial assistance for in-home 
care, establishing fee payment guidelines, implementing better 
schooling for in-home aides, and assembling a supervisory board of care 
givers, we can help to ensure that the quality of care elderly receive 
in home is as adequate as hospitalized attention.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important resolution for two crucial reasons. 
First, it allows the elderly to remain independent and sustain 
viability during the last years of their life. Supporting studies show 
that seniors who receive in-home care have greater life expectancies 
than seniors who are moved from everything that is familiar to them and 
placed in nursing homes. Second, this resolution would encourage 
increase employment opportunities in the nursing and in-home care 
industries. By implementing government funded in-home care to equal 
that of nursing home care, more seniors will elect being nursed a home, 
which in turn increases job opportunities. All of which we

[[Page E130]]

can achieve through raising the quality of in-home care.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. As 
members of Congress we have a great opportunity to make a positive 
impact on this issue, an issue that is of concern to many of our 
grandparents, parents, and will be of concern to us. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues and moving this resolution forward.

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