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Home health care a vital service

In the column titled, “A modern American economy has universal health care” a national columnist attacks every element of the health care system. But the facts prove the column is simply wrong when it lazily casts blame across the board. For example, home health care agencies actually save taxpayer dollars. As an alternative to higher-priced services in hospitals or nursing homes, home health care services are less costly to taxpayers and allow patients to receive services where they prefer — in their home.

Unfortunately in Illinois, the state government reimburses home health care providers at one of the lowest rates in the nation. A service that costs $168 to provide to the poor and low-income in the Illinois Medicaid program is reimbursed to the provider by the state at less than $62.

Clearly, home health care providers in the suburbs and throughout Illinois are saving taxpayers money while suffering an economic loss to provide the service to the poor. They deserve credit for their willingness to serve those in need, despite the economic hardship the low state reimbursement rate forces upon them.

Jan Grimes

Executive director

Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council

Springfield

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