Washington, DC – The leaders of the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), and the West Virginia Health Care Association (WVHCA) today praised Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) for leading an effort in the United States Senate to include in any final economic stimulus plan a temporary increase in state fiscal relief through Federal Medical assistance percentage (FMAP), which, they said, would serve as a needed insurance policy to protect vulnerable seniors’ future care needs as states brace for an economic downturn.
Senator Rockefeller is seeking signatories for a joint letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) stating, “We are particularly concerned about growing state budget deficits and strongly urge you to consider including at least $15 billion in state aid – equally divided between Medicaid and targeted grants to states – in any economic stimulus package considered by the Senate.”
“As he thankfully did in 2003, Senator Rockefeller has taken a key leadership role in 2008 to help ensure Congress and the President pass the Medicaid assistance seniors in West Virginia and across the nation need to retain access to quality care during the predicted economic downturn,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA. “We thank Senator Rockefeller for his leadership on this important pending matter and for urging his colleagues to protect our most vulnerable frail, elderly and disabled citizens.”
Jesse Samples, CEO of WVHCA, thanked Senator Rockefeller for his effort, and noted thousands of West Virginia seniors depend upon the care and services only skilled nursing facilities can provide: “Senator Rockefeller understands the importance of adequate Medicaid financing to the operations of long term care facilities across West Virginia, and seniors and caregivers throughout our state are grateful he has again taken up the cause of protecting quality nursing home care.”
Rockefeller’s letter continues, “In 2003, by the time the economic stimulus bill passed, states were already in dire fiscal straits. One million low-income people had already been added to the ranks of the uninsured because of substantial state cuts to Medicaid between 2001 and 2003. This occurred in Democratic and Republican states alike. We must act quickly to protect low-income families. We understand that there are a number of meritorious proposals to stimulate the economy, but state fiscal relief is a proven approach that works and works well. It is an approach that has been endorsed by our nation’s Governors and health advocates alike. We look forward to your prompt consideration of this request and are confident that you will act in the best interest of our country.”
As the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to one million individuals in our 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities.