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Ask Congress to stop proposals that further cut nursing home care.
Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, which cuts Medicare funding for nursing home care by $23.9 billion. The Senate is currently debating its health care bill, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590, which contains cuts totaling $14.6 billion. These cuts come on top of $12 billion in cuts that went into effect October 1, 2009 and together, these cuts are simply unsustainable.
Since labor represents 70% of nursing home operating costs, we worry that such deep cuts would affect jobs—forcing layoffs, lowering salaries, or reducing benefits—and ultimately, would hurt seniors’ quality of care. Congress must stop proposals that further cut nursing home care and reconsider how the existing $12 billion in cuts, combined with state Medicaid funding shortfall, will negatively impact seniors’ care.
We are calling on Congress to ensure that total funding for nursing home care remains adequate to preserve quality care for America’s seniors and protects caregiver jobs. We invite you to join us.
Below please find several documents that will help you to better educate your Members of Congress about the negative impact of these cuts as we campaign to Save Our Seniors today!
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