Welcome

NAHC has established a Hurricane Relief Task Force to respond to the crisis caused by Katrina in the gulf coast states. Val J. Halamandaris, President will serve on the Task Force but appointed Barbara Citarella, President of RBC Limited and Mary St. Pierre, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at NAHC to co-chair. The Task Force agreed on a plan which includes the following: writing to the Governors of the affected states to classify home care personnel as emergency responders; waiving licensure requirements so doctors, nurses and aides from other states can work and be paid for helping out in the respective states; and asking that home care personnel be given priority access to gasoline if it is rationed.

Halamandaris wrote letters to Secretary Mike Leavitt and CMS Administrator asking waivers of certain conditions of participation and exceptions to certain payment rules. Those who want to volunteer to serve by traveling to the area should contact Barbara Citarella at rbc@netstep.net. Financial contributions should be made to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. The full story is available on the NAHC website which will include regular updates on the progress of the Task Force.