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Congressman Driehaus visits VNA patient

 

Expresses support for home health as cost-effective, quality care option

 

 

The first thing Rep. Steve Driehaus noticed when he entered Robert Bronner’s room was the framed print above his bed. It is image that borders on the sacred on Cincinnati’s West Side, part of the district Driehaus represents and where Bronner, who is paralyzed below the arms, lives.

 

“Ah, the Big Red Machine,” said Driehaus, as the two shook hands this day in early June.

 

Helping people like Bronner stay in their homes has long been a priority for the Congressman, going back to his tenure in the Ohio House of Representatives.  

 

“When it comes to long-term care,” Driehaus said, “nursing homes and home healthcare both have a role to play. But so many people want to stay in their homes. From a government perspective, it’s far cheaper if we can help them do that.”

 

Bronner said family members assist with his daily care. But it’s very doubtful he would be able to remain at home without the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, which provides skilled nursing to treat his chronic bedsores and change his catheter.  

 

“The VNA nurses are all fantastic,” he said. “Without them, I’d be up a real creek without a paddle.”

 

In March, Driehaus voted to approve major health care reform legislation in Congress. There are concerns in the home healthcare industry that provisions in the new law could eventually lead to home healthcare agencies losing money on Medicare patients.

 

“That is certainly not Congress’ intent,” Driehaus said. While he calls health reform an historic step forward for the country, he also said people need to remember that it is a first step that will be carefully monitored.  

 

“We’ll look at the impact as we go forward, and if adjustments need to be made, we’ll make them,” he said. “Members of Congress want people to be cared for – and in the best setting.”

 

For Bronner, that’s safe at home with the Big Red Machine looking on.

 

The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is the largest independent nonprofit home healthcare agency in the Tri-State. This year the VNA begins its second century service, providing home healthcare and personal services to all local patients who need them, regardless of the patient’s financial status.

 

For more information please call

(513) 345-8000 or (800) 345-8085 

or email us info@thevna.org

     

 

 

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