Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representative’s vote to pass the Senate’s budget resolution:
The following statement can be attributed to AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Clif Porter:“As the budget reconciliation process gets underway, we urge the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committees to protect seniors on Medicaid. We appreciate President Trump and many lawmakers’ commitments to prevent cuts to Medicaid benefits as well as their noble intent to focus on fraud, waste, and abuse. But make no mistake—Medicaid financing tools, like provider assessments, are legitimate, long-standing programs that support the care that nursing home residents receive. Reductions in provider assessments are a reduction to seniors’ access to care in nursing homes, pure and simple.
“Congress must stand by seniors and defend their access to long term care. Already, more than 800 nursing homes have had to close since the beginning of the pandemic, and many are barely hanging on due to Medicaid’s chronic underfunding. Any further Medicaid reductions would be devastating. The impact would be felt in every single community across the country, leaving our most vulnerable and their families with fewer options. Our nation is aging, and now is the time to ensure Medicaid is there to care for those who cared for us.”
Learn more about Medicaid’s critical role in supporting long term care
HERE.