Nursing-home executives are intensifying their opposition to the Senate’s health-care overhaul, concerned that the proposed multibillion-dollar cuts to Medicaid would gravely wound the industry. Before Senate Republicans postponed a vote on the legislation Tuesday, a conference call organized by the American Health Care Association drew nearly 800 participants. They were asked to contact their senators and representatives to discuss the bill’s potential impact, and to involve employees and family members of residents in the...
Nursing home executives opposing the GOP Senate bill have said it could pose the “biggest threat” to the health care industry seen in 20 to 25 years, with the proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to Medicaid potentially impacting nursing home care severely. At present, Medicaid covers the bills for around 60% of the approximate 1.4 million nursing home residents, with around 21% of the total Medicaid funding being spent on long-term care provision. The House bill, which is expected to be voted upon by Thursday, would cut $772 billion, or about a third of Medicaid, over 10 years. A national association for 5,600 non-profit nursing homes, LeadingAge, has said the backlash from the bill has led to the submission of over 18,000 letters to Congress, the highest it has seen for any medical issue. The bill being considered would reduce the federal spend on Medicaid by $722bn over the next ten years, which could lead to states reducing payments for nursing home care or limiting eligibility in a bid to reduce fund spending.