October 25, 2005

I have been a long time champion of high healthcare standards and I support those that I believe deliver quality healthcare services to our communities. Today, I am writing to you about such an organization, DirectMed Health Services, a home health agency.  Their home health services include nursing, therapy, and social services.

DirectMed Health Services is one of the few independent companies in the Chicago area focused on culturally diverse home health patients.  The underserved Hispanic and African American populations need medical professionals who are sensitive to their cultural and economic status.  One of their particular concerns is for Spanish speaking people.  They need someone who can communicate with them effectively.  Communicating instructions on medications, wound care, safety issues, and much more is paramount to the Spanish-speaking population receiving the best medical care.

I support DirectMed Health Services.  I would appreciate it if you would discuss with them how they can best serve you and your residents.  One idea would be to provide a wellness program in which they would visit your facility on a recurring basis to provide basic healthcare testing for residents. DirectMed is located in Chicago and the President is Ken Banks.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me at 773-235-3939.  I look forward to your support.

Sincerely,

Maria A. "Toni" Berrios
State Representative, 39th District

March 10, 2005

It is my belief that everyone in our communities --regardless of economic status, ethnic background, religion, language, etc. --must have access to needed health care.  This is not currently happening, and as a result, I feel that it is important that I bring to your attention a project I support, aimed at providing necessary health care to the underserved in our area.  DirectMed Health Services is one of the few independent companies in the Chicago area focused on improving this unfortunate situation.   They provide hospitals with culturally diverse staff for temporary assignments and for permanent placement.  More importantly, once they have completed the certification process, they will be providing home health care services with their culturally diverse staff.

One of the particular concerns is Hispanic patients.  At the current time, there are just not enough bilingual professionals to take care of them.  Communicating instructions on medication, wound care, safety issues --if the care provider cannot communicate in the patient's language, the patient cannot get the help needed.  DirectMed Health Services alone cannot resolve this problem, but they certainly can make a large impact on the communities they serve.  The sooner they are approved as a Medicare approved home health care agency, they can begin helping patients such as those in my community in which a significant amount of people do not speak English.

It is my understanding that the Department of Public Healthcare is currently behind in certifying new home health agencies.  We are very much aware of the problems caused by lack of resources and limited workload.  However, this health care issue is critical, and I would like to request that you do all you can to assist DirectMed Health Services, allowing them to move as quickly as possible through the certification process.  It is our belief and our expectation that DirectMed Health Services will comply with every requirement of your department.  If there are any questions, please contact my office at 773-719-3427.  I look forward to your support.

Sincerely,

Dinah Ramirez, R.N.
President of the IHNA

March 8, 2005

It is my belief that everyone in our communities --regardless of economic status, ethnic background, religion, language, etc. --much have access to needed health care.  This is not currently happening, and as a result, I feel that it is important that I bring to your attention a project I support, aimed at providing necessary health care to the underserved in our area.  DirectMed Health Services is one of the few independent companies in the Chicago area focused on improving this unfortunate situation.  They provide hospitals with culturally diverse staff for temporary assignments and for permanent placement.  More importantly, once they have completed the certification process, they will be providing home health care services with their culturally diverse staff.

One of the particular concerns is Hispanic patients.  At the current time, there are just not enough bilingual professionals to take care of them.  Communicating instructions on medication, wound care, safety issues --if the care provider cannot communicate in the patient's language, the patient cannot get the help needed.  DirectMed Health Services alone cannot resolve this problem, but they certainly can make a large impact on the communities they serve.  The sooner they are approved as a Medicare approved home health care agency, they can begin helping patients such as those for Dr. Hernandez whose Hispanic patients represent 95% of his client base.

It is my understanding that the Department of Public Healthcare is currently behind in certifying new home health agencies.  We are very much aware of the problems caused by lack of resources and limited workload.  However, this health care issue is critical, and I would like to request that you do all you can to assist DirectMed Health Services, allowing them to move as quickly as possible through the certification process.  It is our belief and our expectation that DirectMed Health Services will comply with every requirement of your department.  If there are any questions, please contact my office at 773-233-5850.  I look forward to your support.

William A. Johnson, MD
President
Cook County Physicians Association