Health Promotion Sunday explores impact of uncompensated care.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) invites Church of the Brethren congregations to consider "Exploring the Impact of Uncompensated Care" on Health Promotion Sunday May 15.

The Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a ministry of ABC, has brought the issue to the attention of church leaders and the denomination through a booklet titled "The Burden of Uncompensated Care in Brethren Retirement Centers and the Church." The booklet will be included in the Health Promotion Sunday packet from ABC. Other materials will discuss when to consider different levels of care and long-term care insurance, and offer worship and sermon ideas.

"When older adults are encouraged to gift away their assets and rely on federal programs to cover their care expenses, there are moral implications," said ABC in a release about the event. Federal and state programs have severely curtailed reimbursement for this kind of care, causing Brethren retirement centers to provide as much as $14 million annually in uncompensated care rather than moving out residents who can no longer pay for their care, ABC said.

Health Promotion Sunday resources are available at www.brethren.org/abc/. A printed version can be requested at no charge by calling ABC at 800-323-8039. ABC sponsors Health Promotion Sunday for the Church of the Brethren each year.

Source: 03/02/2005 Newsline
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