Thursday, May 29, 2008

Dear Editor,

A strong network of qualified home care providers is essential to caring for an aging population, but challenges exist in expanding access to care while ensuring patient and provider safety (Fix Home Care, 5/13/08). HCP has long advocated for the creation of a centralized State registry of certified home health and personal care aides and concurs with the Attorney General that the time for a registry is now.

Home care patients deserve to have every reasonable precaution taken to ensure their safety and agencies welcome this additional opportunity to help provide better patient care.

While news headlines suggest the industry is rampant with abuse, consumers should know that home care is a safe, cost-efficient and patient-preferred source of care. State licensed and certified home care agencies are highly regulated, but providers need tools, such as a training registry, to assist them in compliance efforts and to enhance patient and provider safety.

HCP looks forward to continuing to work with the AG, Governor Paterson and the State Legislature to enact this centralized State registry.

Sincerely,

Phyllis A. Wang

The writer is President of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc. (HCP).