Washington

During his State of the Union address Jan. 20, President Bush called on Congress to help control health care costs and, at the same time, “extend the benefits of modern medicine” throughout the country. He also praised the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act that he signed into law in December. Among other priorities, the president's speech proposed:

• Association health plans in which small businesses could band together to negotiate lower insurance rates.

• Tax credits for low-income workers to purchase health insurance.

• Limits on medical malpractice awards.

• Computerization of health records.

• Tax deductions for people who buy catastrophic health insurance as part of the health savings account program created under Medicare reform.

In a statement issued following the address, the American Association for Homecare, Alexandria, Va., supported the president's “vision for the future of America's health care” but expressed concern about how Medicare's overhaul will affect beneficiary access to care. “This is especially true as it relates to durable medical equipment, and the changes imposed on the home health and rehab sectors,” AAHomecare said.

For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.