Health Care Reform May Result In More People Going To Nursing Homes
In today's New York Times, an editorial by Harold Pollack, of the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration, recognizes one of the costs of expanded health care now being considered by Congress. According to Mr. Pollack, although approximately 30 million Americans stand to gain health care coverage under the bills now being considered by Congress, that expanded coverage comes with a price.
That price, Mr. Pollack informs us, is a decrees in Medicare spending on home health care services. These are the very services which allow Medicare recipients to remain at home and out of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Mr. Pollack's editorial contains short views of a number of other experts concerning the Senate bill.
Is it better for us or our loved ones to be cared for at home rather than be forced, by financial realities, to enter a nursing home or assisted living facility? Of course. Is it better for 30 million Americans to be provided with health care coverage which they otherwise would not have? Of course. There, as they say, is the rub.
No matter the final outcome of the health care debate, with the aging of the American population, one thing is certain. More people will likely be entering into nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Those individuals and their families must be sure the facility provides the services necessary to provide adequate care. Those facilities also must be held to the highest standards in the care of residents.
