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VNA Nurse Testifies on Capitol Hill

Margaret DiLascio, RN, BSN - VNA of Hudson Valley

VNA of Hudson Valley Nurse Represents State of New York in Home Care Presentation on Capitol Hill

Standing in our nation’s Capitol, VNA of Hudson Valley Nurse Margaret DiLascio read a heartfelt letter that shared how home care is making a difference for one of her patients. DiLascio was one of 50 nurses who represented their state, voicing concern for the drastic healthcare cuts slated to affect home care. The forum, “Home Health Care: The Last Great Civil Rights Battle,” took place on Thursday, May 14th as part of National Nurses Week.

DiLascio was recommended to represent New York State home care providers. A Registered Nurse and employee of the VNA of Hudson Valley for over 14 years, DiLascio offered a voice for the patients served by home care. “Margaret is on the front line of home care every day. She and her fellow nurses are providing medical care and support services to patients in the comfort of their homes – which is where nine out of ten seniors prefer to receive health care,” remarked Michele Quirolo, President & CEO of the VNA of Hudson Valley. “Margaret’s presentation came from the heart. I’m confident that those in attendance were moved – the message was clear.”

The forum was part of a response to the proposed $13 billion cut to home care which would be devastating to the home care industry as well as the millions of individuals served by home care. With the new Administration actively pursuing a health care reform bill, the time was right to remind Representatives how crucial and cost effective home care is to the health of the nation. Those in attendance included House Home Health Working Group Co-chairs Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina, former Senators Bob Dole and John Breaux and Former Congressman Mel Levine.

In addition to presenting on Capitol Hill, the nurses were interviewed and filmed as part of a documentary that will be shown by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. DiLascio was also interviewed by Bruce Owens on WBNR 1260 AM in Beacon as part of their “Good Morning Hudson Valley” program.

“This is one of those moments in your life that you never forget,” shared DiLascio. “I’m sure I will be telling this story to my grandchildren time and time again. This opportunity allowed me to feel like I was contributing to home care and those it serves on a larger scale. I am proud to have been able to participate.”

The Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley is proud to join the National Association for Home Care & Hospice in a campaign to prevent more than $13 billion in proposed cuts to Medicare home health care coverage over the next five years.  For more information, please visit: HelpUsChooseHome.com.