[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10831]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HOME HEALTH COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, America's health care sector is wrought with 
waste, fraud and abuse, but the home healthcare industry has proposed 
thoughtful reforms that will strengthen program integrity and achieve 
substantial savings without burdening beneficiaries.
  Among the home health community's proposals are measures to reduce 
the abusive use of home health care services in order to eliminate 
excessive overpayments, as well as implement initiatives that will 
drive innovation and reduce program costs. Other proposed safeguards 
achieve savings by screening questionable claims, improving payment 
accuracy, and targeting bad actors. The home health care industry's 
proposal is a responsible initiative and should be taken into 
consideration as Congress continues to address ways to reduce health 
care costs and improve patient care.
  Home health care is a key source of clinical treatment for millions 
of Americans and is meeting complex needs in the most cost-effective, 
patient-preferred setting available--patients' own homes. 
Unfortunately, some are now advocating the reintroduction of a 
copayment for home health services at a time when the industry is 
already threatened by arbitrary yearly payment cuts. I believe that the 
imposition of a home health care copayment and misguided cuts could 
seriously impact Florida's seniors and result in increased Medicare 
costs.
  The home health community is vital to upholding our commitment to 
America's seniors and the millions of beneficiaries who depend on a 
meaningful and affordable Medicare program.

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