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MEDIA
STATEMENT
For
release: April 25, 2003
Contact: Jon
Spampinato
Telephone:
(888) 866-8773
THE
VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA APPLAUDS BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S
"HOME
HEALTH QUALITY INITIATIVE"
Group
acknowledges challenges presented by Medicare and Medicaid Cutbacks
(April
25, 2003) -- While meeting with heads of the nations’ Visiting Nurse Agencies
(VNAs) at the group’s 21st annual conference, Visiting Nurse Associations
of America (VNAA) President and CEO, Carolyn Markey, issued the following statement
on the Bush Administration’s Home Health Quality Initiative (HHQI).
"For
more than a century, VNAs have stressed the importance of quality in providing
home health care in their communities. We are committed to working with the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop the quality indicator initiative
to assist our members in providing compassionate, high quality care, at home."
"The
importance of this work and the success of the HHQI will no doubt be made more
difficult by reduced funding of Medicaid and Medicare."
"However,
the VNAA applauds the HHS and CMS for recognizing the need to refocus the attention
of government on outcomes of care and for involving the VNAA in developing the
HHQI."
About
the Visiting Nurse Associations of America
The VNAA represents
more than 500 VNAs, local community-based nonprofit providers of home health care.
The VNAA’s award-winning
website (www.VNAA.org) contains
valuable information for consumers shopping for home health care, including "Questions
to ask Home Health Agencies," an explanation of services available, and a
locator to find a nearby VNA.
For
more information about the VNAA, call toll free (888) 866-8773, or go to www.VNAA.org.
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