[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5943]
[From the U.S. 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 OF 
                              THE ELDERLY

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  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 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 ensure the quality of care elderly receive in-home is as 
adequate as hospitalized attention.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important resolution for three crucial 
reasons. First, it endorses the efforts of the elderly to remain 
independent and sustain their 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 promotes the expansion of 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 to be nursed at home, which in turn 
increases job opportunities. Finally, this resolution encourages the 
establishment of better treatment and guidelines for students and 
schools who train certified nurse assistants and home health aides. 
Through adoption of uniformly high standards, we can ensure our seniors 
have access to qualified professionals when selecting in-home care. 
Each of these important ambitions are achievable 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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