"Visiting Nurse Associations are making a critical difference, providing comprehensive home health services and caring support to patients and their families across the country," Senator Collins said. "I am pleased that this bill will give us the opportunity to publicly honor these health care heroes who are dedicated to service in the ultimate caring profession."
Visiting Nurse Associations are non-profit home health agencies that provide community-based home health care to individuals regardless of their condition or ability to pay for services. VNAs have served communities around the country for over 120 years and have been the health care safety net for millions of Americans, many of who are chronically ill and disabled and unable to pay for their care. There currently are approximately 500 VNAs nationwide bringing health care into the homes of an estimated three million Americans every year. VNAs offer an alternative to costly hospital and/or nursing home care by using highly-trained health care professionals with expertise in geriatric, disability and preventive health care. In a country challenged by escalating health care and medical costs, VNAs are dedicated to their mission of providing cost-effective and compassionate home health care to some of our nation's most vulnerable individuals.
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