“Reports that the Bush Administration’s proposed budget for FY 2009 will not include a Medicare market basket update for the care of America’s oldest, sickest nursing home residents is disappointing – and disregards the specific policy guidance offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which, just months ago, said a funding update is necessary to promote ‘program efficiency, quality and sustainability.’
“These cuts are a particular concern since Medicaid payments for long term care are likely to shrink in states that are hard-hit by the economic downturn, which Congress is seeking to ameliorate in its economic stimulus package. Consumers deserve the highest quality care and services across the spectrum of health care settings, and employees deserve well-paid, positive work environments. As long term care providers, it is our responsibility to provide that level of care to our patients, and to ensure we have the well-trained staff to provide such care. The Administration’s budget, however, severely undermines our ability to continue doing so.
“The government also has a great share of this responsibility, and we urge policy makers to recognize that without fair and appropriate Medicare and Medicaid payments for care and services, they are jeopardizing the health care needs of our nation’s most frail, vulnerable and disabled citizens. Therefore, any budget that cuts Medicare or Medicaid for long term care is short-sighted, and not in the best interest of consumers or America’s workers.”
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represent nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.