The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

The Homecare Association Of New York State

ESP, Well Of The Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 [10:30 A.M.]

On behalf of the New York State Assembly, I am proud to welcome the Homecare Association of New York State (HCA) here to the Empire State Plaza.

Let me offer my personal welcome to your Board Chair, Charles Blum and to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, which provides such great care to a number of my constituents in Lower Manhattan. It is good to have you here.

Let me also take a moment to thank each and every one of you for making the trip to Albany and for speaking on behalf of all of the home-care providers and all of the home-care clients who could not be here today to present their needs and their concerns to their government.

I also want to commend the Homecare Association on its wise choice of Joanne Cunningham to serve as your president.

I first became aware of this talented young leader when she served with the Healthcare Association of New York State, an organization that I and my Assembly colleagues have worked closely with over the years.

Joanne's expertise in health-care policy and her political background at both the federal and state levels will serve your Association very well.

Speaking for the Assembly Majority, Joanne, we look forward to working with you to help the HCA expand and enhance home-care services throughout New York State.

As you know, the Assembly Majority - with the leadership of our Health Committee Chairman, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried - has long supported community-based health care as well as programs that enable senior citizens to "age in place."

In fact, more than a decade ago, I authored and guided through to enactment the legislation that created the Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities program, better known as "NORC," to enable our senior citizens to remain in their homes and receive the health and social services they require. It is legislation in which I take great pride.

Last year, "home care" was not an issue of contention during the budget negotiations.

This year, it is. So, I understand your being confused, since we know that Governor Spitzer has always indicated his support for community-based health care.

Yes, we must take into account the uncertain nature of the economy right now.

However, as I have stated many times over the years, government has certain moral obligations that it must fulfill regardless of the economic cycle.

Ensuring the health and well-being of working men and women, our children and our seniors is one of those moral obligations.

I'm not going to give a long speech about why home care is important and why it is an increasingly more popular option for certain treatments and rehabilitation, because you know better than I do.

I will promise you that I and my Assembly Majority colleagues will do everything that we can to mitigate the pain you have found in the Executive Budget .

Believe me, we understand that you score no points forcing people to receive treatment in a facility rather than in the comfort of their own homes.

I will also promise you that as New York State gradually moves toward a system of universal health care, the Assembly Majority will stand up for home care and ensure that you receive the respect and the support that you deserve.

Please, make the most of your day in Albany.

Remember that my door - and the doors of my Assembly Majority colleagues - are always open to the HCA.

Thank you for being here and keep up the good work.