A few take away thoughts from the few days spent in DC:
Although no elected representatives or staff voiced it, there is some sense of health care reform fatigue among Capitol Hill staffers. Since our issues are not major changes to the bill, we had a more receptive audience.
Senator Kerry gave the most impassioned defense of health care reform of all Senators we heard from at NAHC’s Senate Breakfast. He commended provider input and acknowledged that much of the difficult work is yet to be done. His speech in full is on our You Tube Channel.
Congressman McGovern remains among the greatest supporters of home care in the US Congress. He is so, because home care leaders in his district got to him right after his first election and passage of the BBA of 1997. His unwavering support shows the power of relationship building and the value of developing support among newly elected representatives.
It was great that we were able to meet Senator Scott Brown if only to start educating him about what we do. See previous comment above.
There are many opportunities for home care in the reform bill; but is going to be up to us to make sure that they come to pass. All hands are going to be needed on deck.
Get involved and stay involved. Your voice is going to be needed.
– Pat Kelleher
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