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Exploring Human Potential

Nonprofit Home Health Providers Express Concerns in Health Reform DebatEmily Swanson, VNAA

emily_150x117Emily Swanson, VNAA

The Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) is still deeply concerned about the Medicare home health cuts proposed in the Senate healthcare bill (H.R. 3590), the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” despite being significantly lower than the House bill’s proposed cuts; $42.1 billion and $54.7 billion, respectively, over ten years.

“We recognize that the home health cuts outlined in the Senate health reform package are considerably less; however, for nonprofit home health providers these cuts still pose a significant threat to their missions,” stated Andy Carter, President and CEO of VNAA. “It is critical that proposals, like Senator Kerry’s, are included in a final Senate healthcare reform bill. We are continuing to work with the Senate leadership to further reduce the cuts and provide protections for safety net home health agencies.”

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) filed a bipartisan amendment earlier this week that would reduce the home health cuts in the Senate bill. The Kerry Amendment was cosponsored by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

Without reductions in cuts, many nonprofit agencies face difficult choices.
“Our agency is currently able to provide care to vulnerable patients despite annual Medicaid losses of $1.3 million but the proposed Medicare home health cuts in both healthcare reform bills puts in grave jeopardy our ability to serve patients without regard for their ability to pay,” stated Ellen Rothberg, President and CEO of VNA Health Care, Hartford, Conn.

“These cuts will limit the scope of our community programs, which will disproportionately impact the very old, frail and isolated. The result will be an increase in more costly acute and long term care placement,” said Mary Ann Christopher, President and CEO of the VNA of Central Jersey in Red Bank, NJ.

Thousands of people rely upon our home visits for their care, from Cleveland’s urban poor to seniors living in rural homes,” said Claire Zangerle, President and CEO of the VNA of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio. “We are deeply concerned that these cuts will prevent the VNA of Ohio from providing cost-effective and essential care to these needy populations, forcing them into more costly institutional care or to be readmitted into hospitals. If the ultimate goal is to improve Americans’ access to healthcare while holding down costs, home healthcare services should be protected and adequately funded by our country’s leadership.”

Visit www.VNAA.org for more information on the VNAA’s Public Policy efforts. 
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Contact:
Emily Swanson
Visiting Nurse Associations of America
202-384-1422
[email protected]

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