Sep. 22, 2015
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| Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny) is shown here addressing supporters of legislation designed to help seniors get proper care after being released from a hospital. House Bill 1329 is known as the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act. |
HARRISBURG – At a rally in the State Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, legislation authored by Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny) was featured in an effort to secure final passage of a bill that would aid senior citizens and their family caregivers by enabling ailing residents to stay in their own homes with proper care.
“I am grateful for the support of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and others for this bill that is commonsense legislation,” said English. “There is no law in Pennsylvania that designates a caregiver prior to discharge from a hospital. My bill, which has bipartisan support, would empower caregivers by ensuring they are part of the hospital discharge process by receiving detailed instructions on after-care assistance tasks.”
English said
House Bill 1329 would require facilities to record the name of the family caregiver when someone is admitted to a hospital, and facilities would also be required to notify the designated caregiver when the patient is to be discharged to another facility or home. A live explanation or video instruction on the medical tasks necessary to care for the patient would be given by the facility in order to ensure a smooth transition back home and maximize recovery.
“This bill would be a major step forward in the care of our residents because following a hospital discharge, health care is ongoing and assistance from a designated family caregiver can help prevent key post-hospitalization instructions from being missed and eliminate unnecessary re-admissions,” said English.
Among those who joined English at the rally were Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Older Adult Services Secretary Teresa Osborne and Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester/Montgomery), chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.
House Bill 1329 was passed in the House earlier this year and awaits consideration by the Senate Aging Committee and full Senate.
Representative Hal English
30th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
717.705.1834
rsmith@pahousegop.com
RepEnglish.com