Advocating for home health workers and their patients is a great passion for Crystal Everett. In addition to being the CEO of Texas-based Wichita Home Health Services, she is also the immediate past president of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice (TAHC&H).
Ms. Everett joined the home health profession under Ruth Constant, founder of Wichita Home Health Services, which opened in 1969. Everett said Constant not only taught her to be a better caregiver, but also taught her the importance of getting involved with the state and federal government. level.
“I immediately joined the Texas association and was very involved,” she said. “I served on a political action committee (PAC) for several years and then became chairman. , championed all areas of the industry.”
In 2022, Mr. Everett resigned from his position at PAC and became president of TAHC&H. Her term ended this year.
“I learned a lot in two years, and it was with a heavy emphasis on advocacy,” she said. “My knowledge of the industry has expanded. (I) have only done Medicare and primary care services (Wichita Home Health Services). I needed to learn more about legal needs.”
Mr. Everett defended the work of the Government Affairs Committee and PAC, saying he would ensure that the work of the committee and the association was consistent with other professional areas.
“I didn’t want to go into (meetings with legislators) asking separate questions when what we’re really trying to do is raise rates (for the industry),” she said.
Everett said the initiative won major victories in the Texas Legislature, including $2 billion for community care worker costs and $46 million for private duty nurses.
“These funds are essential to strengthening the quality and accessibility of home care and hospice services in Texas,” Everett said. “Notably, this is the first time in more than 10 years that there has been a significant increase in the cost area. This is the first time in 17 years that the administrative tax rate has increased. TAHC&H continues to support this. We will continue to support you in the next session.”
In addition to advocating for the industry, Everett will advocate for his team and ensure they have every resource available to them not only to get the job done, but to advance their careers.
“When I look at my staff, their accomplishments make me happy,” she said. “I am the softball mom who is in the stands when patient care improves. I am the softball mom who is in the stands when patient care improves. I’ve seen it make families better, and it feels good to see that and coach them to do that.”Everett will continue to keep Constant’s dream and business alive for many years to come. I am thinking of doing so. Wichita Home Health Services just completed a merger with LTM Group, which will expand the agency’s service reach beyond the Texas border.
“From a small agency perspective, we know our patients. We know our people,” Everett said. “We have served them for generations. We have had many people who have taken care of their grandparents, mothers and fathers, and now we will It’s special for local agencies and small agencies to be able to give that back to the community.”
