In a story released to accompany the analysis, Bloomberg reporter Matt Barry cites rising concerns – including those of the White House – regarding block grants, specifically related to the risk of beneficiaries not receiving the care they deserve. As a former Governor, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson was quoted expressing the balance between maintaining the crucial role of Medicaid in protecting those who require care and services the most, while still addressing state budget crises.

“We understand the need for states to balance their budgets, but oppose any block-grant proposal that balances those budgets on the backs of the frail and elderly,” said Parkinson in the article. “Block grants put the safety net a risk because there are no requirements for specific types of care or eligibility.”

As the largest payor of long term care services, Medicaid covers  24-hour nursing care, housing and meals for millions of elderly Americans every year. In 2010, Medicaid underfunded nursing facility care nationally by $5.6 billion, an average of $17 per patient, per day; a number only projected to grow with implementation of block granting programs.  

Bloomberg’s Barry noted that while block grant proposals have not been successfully enacted for over 20 years, the current “state and federal budget deficits, the economic outlook and the Republican gains in Congress make this an issue that is likely to influence any discussions over the future design of Medicaid.”

Bloomberg’s analysis, reprinted in the chart below, details the impact block grants would have on long term care providers. For a  full copy of the story, visit www.bloomberg.com.