New home health provisions proposed in Health Care Reform Bill to benefit older patients

New home health provisions proposed in the Health Care Reform Bill (H.R. 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) will support the testing and implementation of in-home health care services for chronically ill elderly residents of Greater Philadelphia.

Stephen Holt, President and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia (VNA), presented a summary report of the new bill during the VNA's Board of Trustees meeting on March 22, 2010. "There are provisions in the Health Care Reform Bill to encourage the development of new patient care models," said Mr. Holt.  "Two programs in particular will help the rapidly growing population of older patients will chronic illnesses.  These programs are aimed at reducing the frequency of hospital readmissions and treating patients at home.  The VNA of Greater Philadelphia is excited to be at the forefront of these initiatives."

The two measures in the home health provisions of the bill are:

1. Conduct a demonstration program that utilizes physician and nurse practitioner directed home-based primary care teams.
2. Establish a Community-Based Care Transitions Program to improve care transition services to Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with chronic illnesses.

These two programs will target the number one fiscal problem confronting Medicare -- the 25% of beneficiaries suffering from multiple chronic illnesses who account for 85% of Medicare costs

These programs would provide twenty-four hours/seven days a week care by a physician/nurse practitioner directed team tailored to their condition, in their homes with care also coordinated across all treatment settings.

The VNA of Greater Philadelphia is prepared to provide services under the new proposed provisions.  In 2003, the VNA introduced its Chronic Care Program.  Based on four pillars of care delivery, VNA nurses provide home-based care, theory-based self management and support, specialist oversight and technology to address the complex needs of the chronically ill.