Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is running a radio ad this week on WTOP, urging Congress to support an extension to the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).
The inside-the-beltway ad, running mornings and evenings, reiterates how vital these funds are to the millions of children and elderly who rely upon Medicaid for their care. Passed originally as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the emergency relief is scheduled to expire December 31, 2010. Many state budgets are struggling and federal lawmakers warn that states will be forced to make severe cuts to Medicaid providers and services unless the provision is passed.
“FMAP serves as the critical safety net protecting seniors and the jobs of the front line caregivers who make a qualitative difference in patient outcomes,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Adequate Medicaid funding is directly linked with high quality care and local caregiver job stability.”
Findings of a recent Mellman Group national poll of likely voters showed that voters oppose cutting funding to nursing homes so strongly that 62% o favored additional federal funding for Medicaid. Voters supported the use of federal funding to prevent additional cuts at the state level.
The ad states:
“Millions of America’s children and elderly rely upon Medicaid to access healthcare. Today, due to struggling state budgets, many Medicaid programs are in trouble. The federal government provides states with much needed Medicaid funding so that the most vulnerable Americans can access quality health care.
When Medicaid programs are cut, patient care is jeopardized. Congress: Please protect healthcare for America’s children and seniors. Extend FMAP funding today. Paid for by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.”
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.