AAHomecare Issues Stats on Home Care

March 1, 2007

In response to President Bush’s proposed budget, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) issued a statement reminding Congress and the president that medical care provided in the home is costeffective, clinically effective and preferred by seniors, disabled Americans and their families.

“With respect to health care, the state of the union grows stronger because of wise use of home care as an alternative to institutionally based care,” said Tyler Wilson, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “We call on Congress and the president to strengthen the home care benefits in Medicare such as home oxygen therapy, which helps close to 1 million Americans to breathe easier in a comfortable and cost-effective setting—their homes.”

Home care providers have been informing policymakers in Washington about the research showing the cost-effectiveness of home-based health care. These cost-effectiveness studies are important for legislators to keep in mind as they look for programs to cut, and home care has already been subjected to repeated cuts in recent years.

Facts about Home Care
•    Millions of Americans with diseases such as COPD and congestive heart failure depend on home medical equipment for medically required therapies.
•    Technology for home medical equipment and telemedicine is advancing the cost-effectiveness and clinical effectiveness of home care.
•    Home care serves a vital role in the nation’s health care system and is a key part of the solution to the fiscal challenges of Medicare. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has called for greater use of home  and community-based care because “it’s not  only where people want to be served, but it’s really more efficient.
•    While home care is the most cost-effective setting, less than 2 percent of the Medicare budget goes to home medical equipment and therapies (durable medical equipment).

“Home care is an essential part of the nation’s health care future,” Wilson said. “We encourage policymakers to learn more about home care and  to support stronger home care for Americans.”