Thad Cochran: “today I am introducing the ``Homebound Elderly Relief Opportunity Act of 1998'' (HERO). This measure addresses a very…”

“today I am introducing the ``Homebound Elderly Relief Opportunity Act of 1998'' (HERO). This measure addresses a very serious concern: the future of home care within the Medicare system. For Mississippians, home health has had a two-fold benefit: Home care serves to reduce costly hospitalization stays while enhancing the patient's quality of life through continued stay in the familiar home setting. Additionally, in a rural state like Mississippi, home health has enabled health care to be delivered to the immobile and elderly who are often miles and hours from the nearest hospital or clinic. Despite these obvious benefits, home health is very expensive, however. With Medicare and government expenditures, it is not always a question of ``What we should afford?'' but ``What we can afford?'' Congress answered these questions with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which has brought fiscal responsibility back to government. BBA 97 dealt with among other issues, Medicare, and in turn home health, probably the fastest growing expenditure within the program. The work of Senator Roth and the Finance Committee has helped insure some stability in home health expenditures, so that a good thing does not quickly become a bad thing and bankrupt the trust fund. However, instead of saving this vital Medicare benefit, HCFA's application of the Balanced Budget Act to home health--through the use of the Interim Payment System--has threatened its very existence.”