WALSH RENEWS COMMITMENT TO PACE CNY
Program Allows Frail Elderly to Age Graciously At Home

(Syracuse, New York)- Recognizing the aging of our local population, Congressman Jim Walsh today renewed his commitment to the Program for All-Inclusive Care (PACE) CNY.  A joint venture between Loretto and St. Joseph's Hospital, PACE CNY works to provide real alternatives to nursing home care for frail elderly.

"It's important to have strategies and programs in place to ensure that as Americans live longer, we also live better," said Walsh.  "PACE CNY provides a variety of services so that seniors can age graciously and independently at home right up until the end of life."

Certified locally in 2002, PACE CNY assists in managing every aspect of care for enrollees - from medical treatments to check ups to transportation and meals to family support services and recreational opportunities.  In the Syracuse market alone, PACE CNY provides these services at a significant savings over traditional, piecemeal care.  Most importantly, enrollees continue to reside independently in their own homes while receiving a host of supportive services.

Walsh has been a strong advocate for PACE CNY, securing $546,265 in direct federal funding to help establish Loretto's Sally Coyne Center for Independence in North Syracuse.  In addition, Walsh's work supported the construction of the adjacent Malta House, a HUD "202" housing complex with 51 unites of affordable housing for income eligible, frail elderly.

On a national level, Walsh and a group of House centrists recently fought Bush administration proposals to reduce Medicare payments to hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional health care providers like PACE.  Walsh and colleagues successfully blocked the cuts to the federal budget.

"We need to do more to continue to develop alternatives to traditional nursing home care," added Walsh.  "PACE CNY is but one example of how the federal government is investing in quality of life in our community, in this case for our aging population."

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