[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 101 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             LONG-TERM CARE

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, the Department of Veterans Affairs is to be 
applauded for facilitating a conference on the role of medical foster 
homes. The conference is titled: ``Medical Foster Home: A New Choice 
for Long-Term Care.'' The conference kicks of tomorrow in Little Rock, 
AR.
  I also want to applaud the conference participants for taking time to 
attend the conference. We truly must be open to new ideas about how VA 
can care for veterans in need of long-term care. In my view, medical 
foster homes are an important part of the equation.
  We know that today VA is facing tremendous demand for long-term care. 
In the years ahead, demand will explode. Yet the President's budget 
includes significant cuts to long-term care programs. The goal seems to 
reduce VA's workload and shift the burden elsewhere. But where are 
veterans to go?
  Should VA be cutting back at a time when demand is growing? Should 
these cuts target needed nursing home and state home beds? According to 
the President's budget proposal, the answer is yes.
  There is another side to this story: there are places on the VA 
landscape where some truly wonderful things are happening to keep 
veterans well cared for and in the setting of their choice. Good 
programs must be fostered.
  Indeed, there are VA clinicians who, in grappling with the demand, 
have not waited but have found some innovative solutions. I am always 
deeply gratified by the level of dedication and innovation of VA 
employees, and I salute those who have moved forward.
  One such good program is the medical foster home program in Arkansas. 
In 2002, Tom McClure testified before the Senate VA Committee about the 
foster home program. I know that all the Members of the Committee were 
amazed at the success of the program--despite some of the snags he has 
faced along the way. Nearly 3 years later, it seems VA is finally ready 
to advance the concept.
  For my part, I recently introduced legislation to develop a medical 
foster home program on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. While we have a 
wonderful VA nursing home--the Center on Aging, it only has 60 beds. 
Unfortunately, community nursing homes have few beds, as well. So, it 
is absolutely critical that Hawaii's veterans be provided with needed 
long-term care.
  More and more veterans are seeking alternatives to nursing homes. 
They want to remain in the community. With the right kind of support 
and care from VA, they are able to do so--even with chronic and 
debilitating conditions. I do want to say that for many veterans, 
however, non-institutional options will not work; and because of this 
Congress is on record stating that VA must have sufficient nursing home 
capacity.
  It is vital that VA's role as a model for long-term care be 
recognized and rewarded, because we will have enormous problems with 
demand for this care in the years ahead. The only entity of any scope, 
size, or capacity that is dealing with how to meet the needs of an 
older population is VA. This role of VA must be highlighted and 
supported.

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