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THCA on
2009 Legislative Session: Seniors'
Medicaid-financed Nursing Home Care requires
substantially more investment as population
ages, Care Needs grow
$60 Million Medicaid Funding boost merely
scratches surface in terms of meeting
Seniors' realistic needs
AUSTIN, Texas, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In
summing up the 2009 session of the Texas
Legislature prior to the initiation of the
special session called by Governor Rick
Perry, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA)
said that while thankful for a marginal 3%
rate increase ($60 million general revenue)
for Medicaid-financed nursing home care,
substantially more investment is required in
the years ahead to ensure the continued
provision of quality care for a rapidly
aging population with growing care needs.
"While Texas seniors and the providers who care for them
are thankful for a small increase in
Medicaid funding, let there be no doubt that
the Legislature is still hundreds of
millions short when it comes addressing
seniors' needs today and the growing level
of care they will require in the years
ahead," said Tim Graves, President of THCA.
"From a budgetary standpoint, the Legislature remains far
behind the curve in terms of recognizing and
acting upon the fact that funding adequacy
is a necessary prerequisite for the
preservation of quality care for every
senior who needs it."
The THCA President reiterated his point that the only
viable funding level for Medicaid-financed
nursing home care was the estimate provided
in the Health and Human Services Commission
(HHSC) Consolidated Budget showing $368
million in new General Revenue (GR) funding
was needed in the 2010-2011 biennium to
address the operating and staffing needs of
Texas nursing homes -- which serve almost
60,000 Medicaid nursing home residents
twenty-four hour a day, 7 days a week, 365
days a year.
"THCA's mission moving forward in 2009 and 2010 will be to
continue educating lawmakers that making an
appropriate investment in Medicaid
represents smart health care policy," Graves
continued.
"Doing so can both reduce the number and frequency of
hospital admissions by improving resident
health, and increase the capability of
nursing facilities themselves to
successfully treat more complex medical
conditions and incidents at lower cost to
taxpayers."
Graves also said that looming federal Medicare cuts
included in President Barack Obama's FY 2010
federal budget further threaten Texas
seniors, and noted that the interdependence
of Medicaid and Medicare financing is a
dangerous phenomenon requiring more
attention from state and federal lawmakers.
"The backbone of Texas' long term care system is our
dedicated workforce, and the financial
squeeze placed on facilities by low Medicaid
rates in Texas and potentially reduced
Medicare funding from Washington ultimately
impacts our oldest seniors' access to the
care they need simply to live."
Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA)
is the largest long term care association in
Texas.
THCA represents a broad spectrum of long-term care
providers and professionals offering long
term, rehabilitative and specialized health
care services.
Member facilities, owned by both for-profit and non-profit
entities, include nursing facilities,
specialized rehabilitation facilities, and
assisted living facilities.
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