National, State Long-Term Care leaders fear that the year 20

 

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National, State Long-Term Care leaders fear that the year 2010 Medicare Cuts undermine, contradict the intent of the Economic Stimulus Act WASHINGTON, February 27
Seniors' care needs, stability of the workforce for long-term care jeopardized by the year 2010 federal Medicare Cuts, New Data Validation Lewin Importance LTC sector to the economy of the United States , employment base, tax revenue

WASHINGTON, February 27 / PRNewswire-USNewswire / - In conjunction with the release of new data on the nation's long-term care sector is a key factor in national and state economic activity and employment and income tax, state and national long-term care leaders expressed alarm that Medicare cuts contained in the federal budget for the year 2010 could undermine the intent of the recently adopted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - thus the derailment of the stability of the sector, putting the elderly access to care in the great compromise, and to cause the loss of primary care jobs very key to the provision of quality care.

"We support President Obama's intention to achieve fundamental, systemic reforms to the U.S. health care system, but these efforts must be pursued in a manner which does not limit seniors access to quality care long-term, "said Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in response to administration of the preliminary draft budget for 2010." We will work with the Administration to ensure that the final budget for the year 2010 to stabilize our economy, protecting the needs of care for elderly, disabled and the creation of the new front line of health care jobs that make a difference in the lives of seniors and all citizens benefit. "

In stressing the importance of the nation's long-term care sector to all U.S. economic activity, employment and generation of federal and state tax revenue, Yarwood issued new data from the Lewin Group, which shows that the area of long-term care is a major driver of economic activity as it directly employs nearly 3 million people, generates $ 56.1 billion in tax revenue each year and, indirectly, 371.9 billion dollars to the U.S. economy each year.

"The watchwords of the sector long-term care are quality, value of jobs and community, and policy should help to promote what we do best for our patients and our nation," Yarwood continued. "While we support and commend the Administration to reform the U.S. health care system, it should not be done in a manner that violates the elderly access to quality home care and presents a clear and present danger to the U.S. economy and our state and local employment of basic care. "

With over 1,200 institutions offering nursing care for nearly 105,000 frail and elderly in the state, California, the Association des établissements de santé (CAHF) President and CEO James Gomez, expressed deep concern that Medicare cuts in the budget of the president could undo the progress in the long term care providers have made quality improvement of care and services to a growing elderly population in California.

"As we work in Sacramento to provide seniors and caregivers stability are the priorities, we are left with the possibility that Parliament could pass illogical and injuring federal Medicare cuts," said Gomez. "Soins de longue term generates 4.0 billion dollars in tax revenues and provides more than 300,000 jobs in the state, yet we have 15,000 vacancies in our skilled nursing, nurses in 5700 alone. Stable funding policies are an integral part of quality care, and central to a strong employment base care.

Lori Porter, Co-founder of the National Association of Assistants healthcare (NAHCA), and a senior spokesman for the Coalition for the Protection of Senior Care, based in Joplin, MO, said it was essential that the nation governors ensure new state Medicaid funds, paid under the federal law ARRA actually go to poor seniors' care needs, not diverted to other spending priorities which have nothing to do with the elderly.

Porter urged the governors to use federal Medicaid funds provided by the ARRA to reverse the reductions already made to health care providers, and to prevent further reductions under consideration. "Achieving the poverty of the elderly in nursing homes to continue to receive high quality care is dependent on the ability of facilities to recruit and retain a sufficient number of nurses (RNs), the Registered Nurses ( LPNs), nursing assistants and certified (CNAS), "she continued." When state officials choose to cut funding to Medicaid providers, they are often forced to eliminate nursing critical - ultimately to the detriment of elderly care needs. "

SOURCE American Health Care Association

CONTACT: Rebecca Reid of the American Health Care Association, +1-410-267-1128

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