Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 1.djvu/962

 99 STAT. 940

PUBLIC LAW 99-165—DEC. 3, 1985 Public Law 99-165 99th Congress Joint Resolution

Dec. 3, 1985 [S.J. Res. 139]

To designate the week of December 1, 1985, through December 7, 1985, as "National Home Care Week".

Whereas organized home health care services to the elderly and disabled have existed in this country since the last quarter of the eighteenth century; Whereas home health care, including skilled nursing services, physical therapy, speech therapy, social services, occupational therapy, health counseling and education, and homemaker-home health aide services, is recognized as an effective and economical alternative to unnecessary institutionalization; Whereas caring for the ill and disabled in their homes places emphasis on the dignity and independence of the individual receiving such services; Whereas the Federal Government has supported home health services since the enactment of the medicare program, with the number of home health agencies providing services increasing from less than five hundred to more than five thousand; and Whereas many private, public, and charitable organizations provide these and similar services to millions of patients each year preventing, postponing, and limiting the need for institutionalization and enabling such patients to remain independent: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the week of December 1, 1985 through December 7, 1985, is designated as "National Home Care Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Approved December 3, 1985.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 139: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): Sept. 13, considered and passed Senate. Nov. 21, considered and passed House.

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