[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL HOMECARE AND HOSPICE MONTH

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, homecare represents a tremendous 
value for millions of Americans' healthcare dollar by providing a 
family-friendly and clinically proven way of receiving quality 
healthcare where they prefer to receive it--at home. Homecare is about 
superior healthcare and a quality life for at least 8 million 
households across the United States.
  Recent studies of homecare services show that it can shorten 
inpatient hospital stays, reduce the overall cost of care, improve 
clinical outcomes, expand patient and caregiver satisfaction, advance 
functional independence, and reduce the risk of institutional 
placement. For some Medicare beneficiaries, formal homecare is the most 
cost-effective strategy for achieving functional improvement.
  Homecare does not require brick-and-mortar investments and with the 
rapid advances in technology virtually every service, short of surgery, 
can be delivered in the home. For these reasons, I join homecare 
patients and caregivers throughout the United States in celebrating 
November as National Homecare and Hospice Month.

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