Disability, Consumer, Caregiver, Provider Groups Urge Super Committee to Reject Budget Cuts that Restrict Access to Healthcare at Home

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Healthcare at Home Initiative sent the following letter to members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction: 

Dear Joint Select Committee Members and Staff:

The Healthcare at Home Initiative is a broad alliance of organizations representing disability groups, consumer advocates, family caregivers, and companies that provide medical care and equipment in the home.  We urge you to reject budget cuts that will restrict access to the home-based services and supports needed by millions of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

We understand that federal spending growth must be controlled.  Home-based services and supports are part of the answer to providing more cost-effective care that will help the nation meet its healthcare financing challenge. 

Reduced access to home-based services, support, and equipment ultimately will cost taxpayers more money as beneficiaries are forced to make preventable emergency room and hospital visits to meet their healthcare needs.  In addition, the tremendous savings achieved through home-based care are multiplied dramatically through care provided by family members in the home. 

While not a panacea, home-based care is a highly cost-effective part of our healthcare system that fosters quality of life and helps millions of seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. Americans overwhelmingly report that the home is their preferred setting for receiving care.

As Americans live longer and face more chronic conditions in their senior years, it's vitally important to strengthen policies that preserve access to the services, care, and supports these populations need.

Sincerely,

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
American Association for Homecare
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Sleep Apnea Association
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
International Ventilator Users Network
National Alliance for Caregiving
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
National Association for the Support of Long Term Care
National Emphysema/COPD Association
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Post-Polio Health International  

SOURCE American Association for Homecare

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