I wish to correct the inaccurate statements which appeared in the Bangor Daily News on May 7 and again on May 8-9.

According to both press releases, under the byline of Beurmond Banville, I was quoted as saying that Visiting Nurses of Aroostook is the only Medicare-certified home health care agency serving northern Maine. Not only is the statement incorrect, as mentioned in Saturday’s rebuttal, but I never made that statement. I never would make that statement, because I know it to be untrue. However, there was considerable confusion about this issue during the discussion, and many people apparently misunderstood what was said.

During the course of our presentation to the Madawaska Board of Selectmen, there were several questions and answers being addressed almost simultaneously. When asked about our hospice program, I said it is the only Medicare-certified program in northern Maine. When the statement was made that we have competition, I agreed. When asked about the comparison between our agency and Aroostook Home Health Services, I explained that they provide long-term care services and are not Medicare-certified to render the acute nursing services provided by our agency.

I deeply regret that these inaccuracies appeared in the newspaper as my statements.

The issues faced by home care agencies nationwide since passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA ’97) are complex and challenging in their own right. Many of us are fighting to save our programs so home care services will continue to be available in northern Maine. We urgently request that the struggle not be further complicated by allowing incorrect statements to appear in the newspaper. Saundra Scott-Adams Executive director Visiting Nurses of Aroostook Caribou