The Rising Tide of home health: How Visibility is Shaping the Future of Care
The home health industry is experiencing a pivotal moment. Years of dedicated advocacy are finally paying off, driving increased visibility adn fundamentally shifting how healthcare is delivered. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a systemic change, moving away from a hospital-centric model towards a future where you receive more extensive, convenient, and personalized care in the comfort of your own home.
The Shift is Real: From Step-Down to State-of-the-Art
For decades, the perception of home healthcare was often as a ”step-down” from hospital or skilled nursing facility care. That’s changing rapidly. today, you can receive hospital-level and even skilled nursing facility-level care at home. this evolution isn’t the result of a single effort, but a collective push from providers, advocates, and the individuals and families who benefit from this care.
This growing acceptance is fueled by a simple truth: people prefer to heal and age in place. And increasingly, that’s becoming a viable, high-quality option.
Visibility Drives Investment & Growth
Increased visibility isn’t just about changing perceptions; it’s attracting notable investment.Major health insurers are recognizing the demand for home-based care and are actively acquiring leading providers.
* UnitedHealth Group’s acquisitions of LHC Group and Amedisys are prime examples. These aren’t small moves – they represent a multi-billion dollar bet on the future of in-home care.
* This influx of capital signals confidence in the industry’s potential and will drive further innovation and expansion of services.
A Voice in the Halls of Power
The growing awareness extends beyond the business world. Congress, regulators, and state legislatures are paying attention. Champions like Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are actively advocating for policies that support home health.
This political engagement is crucial. It ensures that the needs of homebound patients and the challenges faced by providers are considered when shaping healthcare policy. we’re seeing more healthcare news coverage focused on home health than ever before, further amplifying the message.
Consider this: a recent analysis highlighting the extensive travel undertaken by home health caregivers made its way to the Associated Press wire, sparking local news coverage and national discussion. this demonstrates the power of data-driven advocacy in raising awareness.
What’s Next? Maintaining Momentum & Shaping the Future
While significant progress has been made, the work isn’t finished. To capitalize on this momentum, we need a revitalized and broadened advocacy effort. Here’s how you can contribute:
* Increased Participation: Attend marches and rallies. The Alliance’s efforts and those of state associations are vital, but require greater participation to truly demonstrate the strength of the home health community.
* Dedicated advocacy Teams: Smaller home health companies should consider establishing dedicated advocacy teams, even if on a smaller scale. Every voice matters.
* Run for Office: We need more home health leaders in positions of power.Consider running for local, state, or even national office to directly influence policy.
* Proactive Defense: We must actively fight against possibly damaging rate cuts and restrictive immigration policies that exacerbate staffing shortages.These challenges could derail the progress we’ve made.
Why Advocacy is Non-Negotiable
Let’s be clear: the advancements we’ve seen in home health wouldn’t have been possible without dedicated advocacy. As Dombi succinctly put it, “In the absence of advocacy from people from the aging and disability community, combined with the health care community, we wouldn’t have health care at home.”
The future of healthcare is increasingly at home. But realizing that future requires continued, robust, and collaborative advocacy. It’s not just about protecting the industry; it’s about ensuring you have access to the care you deserve, in the place you feel most comfortable.
Resources for Getting Involved:
* National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC): https://www.nahc.org/
* Home Healthcare News: https://homehealthcarenews.com/
* **Your State Home
