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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Dermody |
  
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Dermody chairs Policy Committee hearing on quality home health care
CHESWICK, May 27 – State Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, chaired a public House Policy Committee hearing today comparing home care to long-term care facilities and discussing the Pennsylvania Quality Home Care Commission, which would maintain home and community-based care standards for seniors.
"Over the next 30 years, the number of seniors in this country will increase from 10 million to 21 million, and that means Pennsylvania also will see an increase," Dermody said. "Studies have shown that home care is cheaper for families and the Medicaid system than nursing homes are. The majority of the elderly also prefer to receive care at home rather than go to a nursing home. We need to make a shift from focusing on nursing homes for long-term care to community and home-based options."
Dermody said that last year, the state Department of Labor and Industry proposed an intergovernmental agreement between the state departments of Aging and Public Welfare and Allegheny, Luzerne and Washington counties, where the pilot program would begin. The agreement would create a commission to oversee the screening of care workers and maintain care standards while preserving consumer choice.
Similar entities exist in other states, including Washington, Michigan, Oregon, California and Wisconsin.
The hearing, held at the Harmar Township Municipal Building, included testimony from representatives from the administration, the AARP and My Life My Choice.
Majority Policy Chairman, Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, voiced support for the commission and commended Dermody on his efforts.
"Study after study has proven that the best way to keep seniors mentally and physically healthy is to make sure they stay in their homes – instead of a nursing facility – for as long as possible," Eachus said. "If this commission gets the job done, it could help seniors all over the state, and I want to commend Representative Dermody for his aggressive leadership on this issue and his ongoing dedication to protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens."
To create the commission, the Intergovernmental Agreement would need to be passed by the Local Government Commission, as well as the local government of each affected county. Once all parties approve the agreement, the state departments of Aging and Public Welfare could sign it.