NGA News Release

 

 

 

                                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                           February 18, 2004

Contact:  Christine LaPaille or Jason Feuchtwanger, 202/624-5334

 

NGA TO Shine spotlight on hOME HEALTH cARE

Governors Will Tackle Several Key Health-Related Issues During the Health and Human Services Committee at Upcoming National Governors Association Winter Meeting

 

Washington—In the face of rising health care costs and a growing aging population, the nation’s governors are preparing to take a closer look at the latest in home health care options for Americans during the upcoming National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting.

 

The discussion will occur in the NGA’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee that will take place on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington.  The committee will explore new and innovative ways to address the needs of the country’s burgeoning elderly population as well as persons with disabilities. Currently, almost 80 percent of elderly Americans and more than 40 percent of individuals with severe disabilities live at home or in community care setting, a trend that shows no sign of slowing down.

 

During the Sunday session, governors will also discuss the latest advances in technology that promise to benefit patients and family members alike. The committee will address opportunities for states to reduce costs, build partnerships and find new resources without sacrificing the long-term care that Americans have come to expect. Currently, Medicaid is the largest source of expenditures for long-term care nationally. “We are committed to taking care of our seniors, and the rising cost of health care is putting real pressure on states’ Medicaid budgets,” said North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, the committee chair. “We must work to deliver the best health care services possible and find cost-effective ways to do so.”

 

“I am looking forward to discussing these critical long-term health care issues with my fellow governors,” said Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the committee vice chair.  “Tighter budgets and health care costs are having a tremendous impact on our states, particularly in light of the changing needs for our growing elderly population. Because new home health care options can offer relief for patients and family members, as well as state taxpayers, they deserve our consideration.”

 

Governors Hoeven and Granholm will lead the discussion along with a panel of four leaders from the health care and long-term care field.  Guest speakers will include Kay Cox, CEO of American Association of Homecare; Ann Armstrong-Dailey, director of the Children’s Hospice International; Steven Dawson, president of the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute; and Chuck Milligan, vice president of the Lewin Group.  

 

“The nation’s governors are uniquely positioned to meet the growing challenges of providing quality long-term care to those who need it,” said NGA Executive Director Ray Scheppach. “This committee meeting will provide the governors with an opportunity to closely examine this critical issue and to hear from some of the leading experts in the field.”

 

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Members of the media may pre-register online at NGA’s Winter Meeting Web site, http://www.nga.org/wm04ycm/gen/.  This secure site includes all pertinent meeting information, including the agenda. The DEADLINE for advanced registration is 5:00 p.m. (EST), Thursday, Feb. 19.  Although reporters and producers who miss advance registration may register at the J.W. Marriott beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, they may experience delays in clearing security and receiving their NGA credential. Two forms of identification will be required in order to pick up an NGA credential—even if media pre-register. These must include a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and a current, valid press credential.