The Visiting Nurses Associations of America Applauds Representative Steve Kagen

Press Release

Media Contact:
Donna Grande
Visiting Nurse Associations of America
202 384 1429

The Visiting Nurse Associations of America Applauds
Representative Steve Kagen

April 7, 2009

“This new legislation will offer home healthcare providers that serve a disproportionate number of uninsured and underinsured patients the opportunity to recruit, retain and retool the specialized profession of home healthcare nursing and improve access to high-quality care to millions of patients across the country in need of home healthcare,” stated Andy Carter, VNAA President and CEO.  “We join home healthcare agencies that serve as safety-net providers across the country in saying thank you to Congressmen Kagen and Terry for their commitment and understanding of the visiting nurse profession,” added Carter.

The “Home Healthcare Nurse Promotion Act of 2009” was introduced in the House as H.R.1928 and currently has the support of Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Mary Bono-Mack (R-CA), John Yarmuth (D-KY), and Madeleine Bordallo (Guam).  If passed, this legislation will offer visiting nurse agencies (VNAs) and other home healthcare providers the opportunity to recruit highly specialized nurses who have expertise in geriatric care and in turn offer newly-hired nurses student-loan forgiveness for committing two-three years of service in a community-based home healthcare agency. 

“Home healthcare agencies that primarily serve as safety-net providers play a pivotal role in cost-effective healthcare delivery; they treat patients where it matters most – in the home.  There is no better time than now to recognize the importance of home healthcare and to do something aggressive about addressing the shortage of home healthcare nurses,” stated Carter.  “We look forward to garnering additional support for this legislation by policymakers in Congress,” Carter added. 

For more information on the proposed legislation go to: www.vnaa.org.