Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) spoke about the value of homecare during this week’s mark-up of the Senate Finance Committee version of health reform, America’s Healthy Futures Act of 2009, released by Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) last week.

“There are going to be many areas of this legislation where I’m going to be fighting for more cost control measures,” Cantwell said. “I am going to be fighting to change the way we fund long-term care. It’s ridiculous that we continue to focus on putting people in nursing homes, instead of community-based care, when it’s 70 percent cheaper. We ought to give the senior citizens of America the chance to stay in their home as long as possible. And to give them a place to get the health care they deserve.”

In light of Cantwell’s comments, the American Association for Homecare urged providers to remind their members of Congress about the value of homecare and home medical equipment.