McLeansboro, IL – January 31, 2010 marked the last full day of services offered by the Hamilton Memorial Home Health agency.  Hamilton Memorial Hospital District (HMHD) has reached an agreement to sell its Home Health Agency to VNA TIP effective February 1, 2010 according to HMHD CEO Randy Dauby.  “The Home Health Agency has been a very important part of the Hospital District for many years, but at this time, the Board of Directors and Administration felt we could no longer continue in the home health market” said Dauby.  “There have been a tremendous amount of changes in regulations, increased competition, and increases in unfunded mandates over the past few years and many more changes are coming in the near future.  These facts coupled with decreasing reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid required that we take some action.  We did not feel we would be able to fund the many projects necessary to keep our small agency viable in the future” added Dauby.

“When the Board and Administration began looking at alternatives for the Home Health Agency and made the decision to sell the agency, the welfare of our employees was an immediate concern as was the future of home health care for Hamilton County residents” said Dauby.  “The Home Health staff are all excellent employees who have provided our area with quality home care for years.  I am pleased to share that VNA TIP has agreed to employ our existing Home Health staff with their agency” added Dauby.

“Furthermore, VNA TIP is committed to having a local presence in Hamilton County and will maintain an office in McLeansboro.  I feel that VNA TIP has the resources and commitment to meet the home health needs of Hamilton County both now and in the future” said Dauby.  “I believe the residents of Hamilton County will be pleased with the care provided by VNA TIP and both organizations will work together to make this a smooth transition.”

 For additional information please contact Deborah McKinney Huff at 643-2361 extension 2341 or dmckinney@hmhospital.org.

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