By Nieto                                              H.C.R. No. 74
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Options for Independent Living program began in
    1-2  1985 as a state demonstration project developed by the Texas
    1-3  Department on Aging; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, This vital program provides necessary services so
    1-5  that an elderly person can remain at home rather than be placed in
    1-6  a nursing home; these services include homemaker and personal care
    1-7  services, home-delivered meals, public benefits counseling,
    1-8  education and training for caregivers, telephone assurance
    1-9  services, respite care, transportation, and home modifications to
   1-10  provide a safer living environment; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The Options for Independent Living program has
   1-12  proven to be more cost-effective, humane, and productive than
   1-13  traditional forms of caring for the elderly; it costs substantially
   1-14  less per patient than nursing home care currently reimbursed by
   1-15  Medicaid, resulting in less economic loss to the community, and
   1-16  patients are much happier in their home environment; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, The Texas Department on Aging is successfully
   1-18  administering this program in 12 out of a potential 28 areas of the
   1-19  state, with funding for this useful program provided by state
   1-20  general revenue, federal sources, and contributions from health
   1-21  care providers, families, and clients; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature supports the continuation and
   1-23  expansion of this fine program; now, therefore, be it
   1-24        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-1  hereby direct the Texas Department of Human Services and the Texas
    2-2  Department on Aging to coordinate services to provide the broadest
    2-3  array possible to the elderly of Texas; and, be it further
    2-4        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    2-5  forwarded to the commissioner of the Texas Department of Human
    2-6  Services as a formal expression of the sentiment of the Legislature
    2-7  of the State of Texas.