Feingold Highlights Legislation to Support Home Health Care Agencies Senator also Discusses Distribution of Menominee Settlement Funds October 17, 2000 Neopit, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today discussed the surge in home health agency closures across the state, and his new legislation to restore stability to home health care in Wisconsin. Feingold also addressed how the Menominee tribe’s settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice will support health care, education and other vitally important tribal programs and institutions. Many of Wisconsin’s home health agencies have been forced to close their doors due to changes in the way Medicare pays for home health services. In response, Senator Feingold has introduced the Medicare Home Health Refinement Act of 2000, along with Republican colleague Charles Grassley of Iowa, to offer these agencies an emergency assistance package, including cash flow assistance, to help them through the changes being made to the Medicare reimbursement system. "The changes proposed in my bill are simple ways to help home health agencies stay in business as they move over to the new payment system," Feingold said. "Home health care agencies in Wisconsin need a federal policy that gives them a fair deal in the long-term, so that they can continue to provide their patients with compassionate, at-home medical assistance." Feingold also discussed the settlement between the Menominee Indian Tribe and the Department of Justice to compensate tribal members for some of the severe turmoil caused by the mismanagement of tribal resources during the period between the time Congress enacted legislation to eliminate the Tribe's federal trust status in 1954 and the Tribe’s reinstatement in 1973. Last year, after 26 years of litigation, Senator Feingold joined Senator Kohl in a successful effort to pass the Menominee Settlement Legislation Amendment to enforce the settlement. "I am very pleased that the mismanagement of tribal resources for too many years can finally be resolved, at least in part. Though this settlement cannot undo the past, I hope it can help the Menominee Nation to seek a brighter future." Feingold's 64th Listening Session of 2000, and 568th since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the Woodland Boys and Girls Club, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

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