WATERLOO, IA – Home for the holidays takes on many meanings this time of year. Families and friends gather from near and far to celebrate the season with loved ones. Stories shared. Songs sung. Food and festivities are all around.
College students return home after working hard all semester. Babies are joyfully introduced at holiday parties. Military personnel come back for holiday leave after serving our country so well. This is a magical time of year where people unite and commemorate all that was and all that is to be.
Thanks to home care, millions of Americans are able to be home for the holidays and spend this special time with loved ones. Technology advancements enable more people to meet their medical needs from home instead of having to rely on institutional care. Walkers, wheelchairs, home oxygen therapy, diabetic supplies, and so much more all play an important role in empowering people to live safely, comfortably, and independently at home now and throughout the year.
Everyone should have the choice to come home, be home, stay home for the holidays. That is why People for Quality Care, and companies who provide home medical equipment, services, and supplies have been working hard to make sure the ability to live out this choice is not lost.”
Adequate insurance and Medicare funding is essential for home care to remain a viable option for seniors and people with disabilities, acute, and chronic conditions. People should have freedom of choice in who they get their medical care and equipment from. Hometown companies should have the opportunity to continue meeting the needs of their communities. And, people should have every opportunity to be home for the holidays with the equipment and care they need.
This holiday season, take a moment to ask your member of Congress to support legislation that will help seniors and many more stay home for the holidays.
Call Congress today and ask them to support H.R. 4229, the Protecting HOME Access Act of 2017. The Washington, D.C., switchboard is happy to connect you at 1‐202‐224‐3121. Visit People for Quality Care to learn more and to send a letter to Congress about this important issue.
Kelly Turner is director of the patient advocacy group People for Quality Care, a division of VGM Group, Inc.