Washington, DC – The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) today praised the National Governors’ Association (NGA) for its bipartisan letter urging Congress to increase for at least a two-year period a formula that determines matching payments to state Medicaid programs.
“We commend the NGA for recognizing the fact seniors’ Medicaid care and services are threatened by national and state economic downturns, and urging the bipartisan leadership of Congress to make protecting America’s oldest, most vulnerable seniors the priority it deserves to be,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Increased Medicaid funding for long term care will have a direct impact on the economy, by immediately ensuring job growth and new hires in nursing facilities nationwide.”
“Funding for FMAP (the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) is a particularly effective countercyclical tool because it immediately allows Governors to eliminate planned budget cuts required to meet balanced budget requirements and continue services for those with the greatest need,” NGA Co-Chairs Ed Rendell (D-PA) and James Douglas (R-VT) wrote in their new letter to the congressional leadership.
“An economic stimulus package which includes an FMAP increase will create new jobs while protecting the quality care our most vulnerable citizens receive in our nation’s nursing facilities and assisted living communities,” stated Yarwood.
Concluded Yarwood, “As the House and Senate explore possible components of any post-election stimulus package, we urge Congress to protect constituent jobs and ensure the needs of the elderly and disabled residents in their districts are a top priority during this economic downturn.”
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.