Rep. Buescher Named "Friend of Home Care"

Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, was named "Friend of Home Care" for his leadership in achieving home care rate increases and telehealth legislation. The award was presented at a recent meeting of HCAC's West Slope Forum. Shown with Rep. Buescher are HCAC President Sue Brown, Home Care of the Grand Valley, Grand Junction, and  West Slope Forum Chair Keith Maurer, Columbine Home Health, Glenwood Springs. The Forum meeting was held at the Two Rivers Convention Center in Grand Junction in conjunction with Club 20 Fall meeting. The Forum meeting was attended by some 20 members. In addition, more than 20 other members from around the state joined in via teleconference.

Rep. Buescher, current chair of the Legislature's powerful Joint Budget Committee, was recognized by HCAC for his support of home care over the years, and more recently for his leadership in achieving Medicaid reimbursement increases for home health, home and community based services and private duty nursing services. The first increases went into effect on April 1, 2006 and the second round of increases is expected on April 1, 2007. These rate increases will bring all home care services up to 90 percent of Medicare or market reimbursement.

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fcc - 09/22/06