House committee hears praise of CARE Act

The  Michigan  CARE Act -- a bill that would support and equip family caregivers with the information and training they need when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home -- had its hearing day in House committee Feb. 9.

The House Health Policy Committee heard glowing praise on Senate Bill 352 from lawmakers, hospitals and other health care providers, Area Agencies on Aging and AARP Michigan.

"Family caregivers are the first line of defense against their elderly relatives being readmitted to the hospital, or being forced into a nursing home," commented William McCarty, a member of the AARP Michigan Executive Council. "This bill is a way to help families help themselves."

He added that the measure will reduce health care costs and save the state and taxpayers money by avoiding payment for institutional care that Medicaid would otherwise pick up.

Sen. Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage, who is sponsor of the bill, said the CARE Act "will ensure our caregivers get the possible training and support."

Henry Ford Health System representatives said the CARE Act will lead to "positive patient outcomes," and "raise awareness of caregiving."

Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, said getting families more involved in caring for their loved ones will result in fewer hospital readmissions and health care savings.

"I'm convinced Senate Bill 352 will help drive down costs," he said.

Rep. Tom Cochran, D-Mason, had questions about liability issues but said he's supportive of the CARE Act.

"(This bill) is a really good thing," he said.

Committee Chair Mike Callton, R-Nashville, told committee members he intends to pass the bill to the House floor next week.

The Senate voted 38-0 in favor of the bill in December.

According to AARP research, more than 2 million Michigan residents will serve as a caregiver for an adulated loved one at some point during the year, providing an estimated 1.4 billion hours of free care valued at more than $15 billion each year.

The Act ensures that hospitals:

• Record the name of the family caregiver when a loved one is admitted to the hospital;
• Notify the caregiver if the loved one is to be moved to another facility or discharged back home;
• Provide an explanation and instruction of the medical tasks -- such as medication management, injections and wound care -- that the family caregiver will perform at home.