June 16th, 2008

Governor Rendell’s proposal to freeze Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes has drawn criticism from nursing home directors and advocacy groups across the state, reports The Morning Call.

The proposal would direct the new money to other elder-care programs including home-based providers.  State officials claim the proposal is a response to studies which show older residents prefer to be cared for in their homes, but nursing home directors claim the freeze may lead to higher fees for patients who pay for their own care and higher taxes for residents that operate nursing homes.

“This is potentially a huge problem,” said Mike Wilt, director of the Pennsylvania Association of County Affiliated Homes.  “This goes to how the state is going to take care of the elderly in the years to come, and you can’t have a system survive with no increase.”

A coalition of advocates has formed Pennsylvanians for Quality Care in an effort to convince state legislators of the need for increased funding.  Over 500 nursing home employees attended a rally at the statehouse earlier this month.