[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HOMECARE AND HOSPICE MONTH

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                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize November 
as National Homecare and Hospice Month. National Homecare and Hospice 
Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of homecare as an 
essential component of healthcare in the United States. While most of 
us formally recognize homecare and Hospice one month out of the year, 
individuals and families across our Nation that utilize these services 
realize the importance of homecare and Hospice each and every day.
  Homecare provides a family-friendly, clinically proven way of 
providing quality healthcare for millions of Americans and homecare has 
become an increasingly important part of our health care system. The 
highly skilled services that these caregivers provide have enabled 
millions of our most frail, older and disabled citizens to avoid 
hospitals and nursing homes and stay just where they want to be--in the 
comfort and security of their own homes.
  In a rural district, such as Oregon's Second Congressional District, 
which encompasses over 70,000 square miles, including two counties with 
no physicians, accessing healthcare service can be challenging. There 
are 23 homecare agencies serving the 20 counties of Oregon's Second 
Congressional District. In some parts of Oregon, homecare professionals 
are the only source of healthcare services. The tremendous dedication 
and compassion of these professionals truly deserves the recognition of 
November being named National Homecare and Hospice Month. The care they 
provide is truly invaluable and allowing individuals to remain in their 
homes and close to loved ones is priceless.
  Because homecare is so crucial to rural areas, I introduced the 
Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act (HR 4902). This 
bill would ensure that homecare providers that serve patients in rural 
areas will continue to receive a 5 percent add-on payment through 2007. 
This measure recognizes that the delivery of homecare services in rural 
areas is more costly because of the extra travel time required to cover 
long distances between patients. Longer travel times mean that rural 
caregivers have to devote more time to each patient and are also unable 
to make as many visits in a day as their urban counterparts. If the 
extra rural payment is not extended, agencies may be forced to turn 
away rural patients with the greatest care needs.
  Nationwide, homecare represents a family value and a value for 
families. It's about quality healthcare and quality of life for at 
least 8 million households across the United States.
  According to reports issued by the Medicare Payment Advisory 
Committee and other independent observers:
  Homecare for selected conditions can shorten inpatient hospital 
stays.
  Homecare can reduce the overall costs of care without compromising 
outcomes.
  Homecare can improve clinical outcomes including mortality. This 
improvement can be striking in degree.
  Homecare can improve functional independence and reduce the risk of 
institutional placement.
  For Medicare beneficiaries with selected conditions, formal homecare 
is the most cost effective strategy for achieving functional 
improvement compared to in-patient rehabilitation, nursing-home-based 
rehabilitation, and discharge to home without formal homecare services.
  Homecare is expected to grow in the years ahead because of several 
large-scale trends:
  The American population is rapidly aging. The 85-and-older group is 
the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population.
  In the near future, advances in technology will allow virtually every 
service short of surgery to be delivered at home.
  Homecare does not require brick-and-mortar investments since it's 
provided at home.
  Homecare is a critical component of our healthcare delivery system; 
so today I join homecare patients and caregivers throughout the United 
States in celebrating National Homecare and Hospice Month.

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