[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9710]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE STATE OF OHIO IN CARING FOR OLDER AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, as we work to reevaluate our country's 
health care delivery and payment system, I rise in recognition of the 
great success my home state of Ohio has had in caring for our senior 
citizens. Ohio Governor John Kasich realized not only the cost savings 
but also the quality of care that could be achieved through caring for 
seniors in their own homes. He dramatically increased the availability 
of home health services for Ohio's senior populations, and according to 
the Ohio Department on Aging, the state will save an additional $300 
million per year by 2020 because of that decision.
  When seniors are paying their own room and board, sleeping in their 
own beds, and doing their own laundry and cooking, they end up having 
more personal investment in their own health care decisions--covering 
costs that taxpayers would otherwise pay in increased Medicare and 
Medicaid spending. Giving seniors, and all Americans, more control over 
their medical choices and health care dollars will help promote high-
quality, cost-effective health care.
  Last month was Older Americans Month, and this year's theme was Never 
Too Old To Play. Older Americans were encouraged ``to stay engaged, 
active and involved in their own lives and in their communities.'' What 
better way for seniors to do this than to receive needed care in the 
comfort of their own homes? I applaud the state of Ohio for the quality 
and cost-effective care we are offering our senior citizens and 
encourage the federal government to do the same.

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