[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            HOME HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. MELANCON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. MELANCON. Madam Speaker, today I come to the floor to talk about 
an issue which I think makes a lot of sense: home health care. Being 
from a rural area in Louisiana, home health aides provide a tremendous 
benefit to my constituents, many of whom live 25 minutes or more from 
the nearest hospital. I believe home health care provides a necessary 
service to those who need a little extra assistance meeting their 
health care goals.
  A new report by Avalere Health found that home health use saved 
Medicare $1.71 billion from 2005 to 2006. That's a real savings while 
providing good health care.
  Here is an example from my district. Jimmy Jordan's life was saved 
when his mom's home health care nurse, Rochelle Mixon, noticed he was 
suffering from congestive heart failure. Since being released from the 
hospital with his own home health care service, he has lost 170 pounds 
and improved his diabetes. He no longer uses a wheelchair and has 
improved mobility. Jimmy says he owes his life to the care he has 
received from his home health care team.
  I believe in home health care, and I urge my colleagues to support 
these providers as we move forward with the debate on health care 
reform. Home health makes a difference and saves money. There is no 
better combination than that.

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