[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17995-17996]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HOSPICE AND HOME CARE IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to tell you of two of 
my constituents from Merced, CA. I recently met with both of them and 
learned how the availability of home hospice and home health care in 
their homes improved their lives.
  I had the opportunity to visit Carmel Flinders, a 93-year-old retired 
teacher with an engaging personality and a voracious appetite for 
reading books who lives at her home in Merced. On Christmas Eve, she 
was preparing for a large family gathering and unfortunately broke her 
hip and had to be rushed to Sacramento for surgery. Thanks to home 
health care paid for by Medicare, Carmel was able to return home and 
resume her life, supported by home health care workers and family 
members. She had the help of Rigo Mayoral, a caring physical therapist, 
who works for California Home Care and Hospice. She also benefitted 
from the assistance of Kim Holmes, a gifted nurse recently named Home 
Health Nurse of the year. It was inspiring to meet Carmel Flinders and 
the health care workers who have contributed to her strong recovery.
  Americo Martignoni, and his wife, Eleanor, lived in the lovely home 
that they built more than 40 years ago. Americo was a retired farmer 
and veteran who was able to live at home with hospice care for the last 
11 months. He was visited every week by Kerry Cheek, a licensed 
vocational nurse, and also assisted by Kaye Moyer, a certified home 
health aide. A lung cancer patient, with an indomitable spirit, Americo 
loved Eleanor's polenta and her legendary biscotti. These special 
people have a wonderful and supportive family of which they are so 
proud. Home hospice care, paid through Medicare, improved their lives 
while saving dollars. Mr. Martignoni died on July 7th at his home. He 
was a remarkable man and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife 
Eleanor and his family.
  Medicare will soon celebrate its 38th birthday. It is gratifying to 
see this

[[Page 17996]]

program at work, making a difference in the lives of my constituents. I 
saw the importance of this program through the eyes of two remarkable 
Americans, Carmel Flinders and Americo Martignoni.

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