I believe the federal government has a responsibility to improve the health and welfare of all Americans, including homebound seniors. That is why I have led the fight to prevent cuts to home health care services. I believe we have an obligation to Medicare beneficiaries to protect the quality of patient care. The impact of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 has been hard on the home health agencies, and any further cuts could prove devastating. This is the second year in a row that I have successfully blocked scheduled home health reductions.
Numerous anecdotes are readily available.
Eligibility for home health care should not force a senior to become a prisoner in their own home. My legislation states that eligibility of an individual will depend on the condition of the patient, not on an arbitrary number of absences from home.