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November is 'National Homecare Month'- American Association for Homecare urges patients and family members to help save homecare

Current and planned regulations threaten homecare quality and availability

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During November -- National Homecare Month -- the American Association for Homecare celebrates the thousands of dedicated professionals who provide cost-effective and consumer-preferred homecare.

Thanks to home medical equipment and service providers, millions of seniors and people with disabilities will share Thanksgiving and other holidays with their families in the comfort of their homes.

Homecare provides tremendous value to more than eight million Americans who require some type of medical care in the home.

A cost-effective alternative to institutional care, home medical equipment can be provided and maintained for just dollars a day, which is why homecare is an important part of the solution to our nation's healthcare crisis.

  Five Facts about Homecare

  1. Among the eight million Americans who depend on medical equipment and

     services at home are people with severe lung disease such as chronic

     obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's

     disease, spinal cord injuries, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.

  2. In numerous surveys, Americans have expressed a strong preference for

     receiving medical care at home if possible. 

  3. Virtually every type of health care short of surgery can be performed

     in the home. If medically necessary, seniors and people with

     disabilities can receive oxygen therapy, wheelchairs, hospital beds,

     drug infusion therapy, hospice care, walkers, and other medical

     services, supplies, and equipment at home under Medicare.

  4. A robust system of home medical providers who compete on the basis of

     quality and service allows hospitals to discharge patients on a timely

     basis to quality post-acute care at home, which reduces length of

     hospital stays and lowers spending in the healthcare system. The home

     is the most cost-effective setting for many types of medical care

     including long-term care. This is why the federal government encourages

     state Medicaid systems to rebalance their long-term care populations so

     a greater proportion of beneficiaries receive care at home rather than

     in a nursing home or other institutional setting. Home-based care

     should be a larger part of healthcare reform discussions for federal

     and state policymakers.

   5. In the event of a catastrophic pandemic flu, home-based care will play

     a large role in treating flu victims who require care since the surge

     in patients will quickly overwhelm hospitals. The American Association

     for Homecare served on an expert panel that provided guidance for "Home

     Health Care during an Influenza Pandemic: Issues and Resources," which

     was produced with funding by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary

     for Preparedness and Response and in collaboration with the Centers forCenters for Centers for Disease Control.

Over recent years, the homecare sector has been the target of a long series of deep and disproportionate cuts by Congress. These cuts have a negative impact on the ability of homecare providers to furnish high-quality equipment and services to the people who require them.

The American Association for Homecare urges homecare patients, their families, and care providers to speak up for homecare and call or email their members of Congress and ask them to "Please stop cuts to homecare."

To learn more about how you can help save homecare, please visit: www.aahomecare.org/athome.

The American Association for Homecare represents durable medical equipment providers, manufacturers, and other organizations in the homecare community. Members serve the medical needs of millions of Americans who require oxygen equipment and therapy, mobility assistive technologies, medical supplies, inhalation drug therapy, home infusion, and other medical equipment and services in their homes. The Association's members operate more than 3,000 homecare locations in all 50 states. Visit www.aahomecare.org.