Washington, DC – (March 10, 2003) – Today marks the twenty-first anniversary of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), an extraordinary organization that represents home care agencies, hospices and home care aide organizations across America. Since 1982, NAHC has been representing the interest of these essential health care providers and the millions of patients and families they support.
“The most remarkable thing about NAHC is the level of dedication that you find in its members, its staff and its leadership,” notes NAHC Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ruth Constant. “You will never find a more qualified or committed group of people, working locally, regionally, or nationally to improve the overall health care system of America by consistently providing quality home care and hospice services. As America continues to age and require access to quality health care, one can plainly see that the best years of NAHC and for home care and hospice are yet to come.”
Val J. Halamandaris, President of NAHC agreed, and pointed out that despite years of government cutbacks, layoffs and even agency closures, NAHC and its members have survived, and have redoubled their efforts and their determination to continue providing the highest possible health care services in the dignity and comfort of each patient’s home. “This has meant not only providing competent and compassionate care to millions of America’s seniors, disabled and infirm, but also becoming business efficient and politically active. These are no small tasks, but home care and hospice providers have proven again and again that they are no small players in the overall arena of America’s health care system.”
Home care and hospice providers have always held themselves up to the highest possible standards. Along with providing care and support for patients and their families, they have also done a wonderful job of educating elected officials, private insurers and consumers about the benefits and cost effectiveness of home care and hospice services. “Home care and hospice providers are truly the Heart and Soul of Health Care in America,” said Halamandaris.
“With the coming of retirement age of America’s baby boomers and the promise of emerging technologies, I have no doubt that we are poised on the brink of the golden age of home care and hospice,” said Halamandaris. “There is no other group that I would want to face the future challenges of health care in America with. It is with no small amount of pride that we celebrate the coming of age of NAHC and great promise of the future of home care and hospice.”
For more information on the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, the nation’s largest and oldest trade association representing those who provide home care, hospice and home care aide services or to access their on-line brochure, “How To Choose a Home Care Provider” please visit their web site at www.nahc.org.
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