LWVC Position: Health Services in Benton County

Public Health

1. Support of Public Health Services in Benton County, including:
   • Dissemination of public health information,
   • Adequate personnel and facilities in the County Health Department, and
   • Family planning information and techniques. (Adopted 1967)
2. Recognition of drug abuse as a health problem in Benton County. (Adopted 1971)

Health Care of the Elderly

1. The LWV of Corvallis believes the government has a responsibility to provide for the health and welfare of its senior citizens. Individuals and families should share this responsibility and
   those who have the ability to pay for services should do so at whatever level possible.
   • We support programs which encourage independent living for the elderly should be adequately funded.
   • We believe support services should be provided for families who care for elderly relatives in their homes.
   • We believe there should be an effective ombudsman program for residents of long term care facilities.
   • We believe the government should promote and fund programs which focus on the prevention of health problems of the elderly.
   • We believe that Medicare and Medicaid should continue to be funded with consideration of cost containment, accountability, and increased focus on prevention.
2. The LWV of Corvallis believes that the government has a responsibility to ensure quality health care for the elderly.
   • We believe there should be regular, qualitative and financial evaluation of public agencies providing health care services for the elderly.
   • We believe that people who care for the elderly in long term care facilities should be adequately trained and paid.
   • We believe that those who provide services or care for the elderly should be adequately supervised.
   • We believe that there should be stringent government standards and inspections for long term care facilities.