Waves of new fund cuts imperil US nursing homes

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091004/ap_on_re_us/us_meltdown_nursing_home_cuts ^

[Orange1998]

HARTFORD, Conn. – The nation's nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services — possibly even closing — because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession and deep federal and state government spending cuts, industry experts say.

A Medicare rate adjustment that cuts an estimated $16 billion in nursing home funding over the next 10 years was enacted at week's end by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — on top of state-level cuts or flat-funding that already had the industry reeling.

And Congress is debating slashing billions more in Medicare funding as part of health care reform.

[Orange1998]

"We understand there's a recession/depression," Feldman said. "But this is not health reform ... and the victims are basically the people who live in the facilities. The Legislature basically says, 'Too sick, too old, too bad."

[blueyon]

sad very sad

[Orange1998]

Throwing grandma to the street. No wonder no one believes Medicare will not be touched.

[GeronL]

What spending cuts?

Which states are cutting?

Or is this a future increase now slated not to happen?

[StormEye]

"The nation's nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services — possibly even closing — because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession and deep federal and state government spending cuts, industry experts say."

Obama and his minions want to kill off the elderly so that the money can then be funneled into programs that will ensure the votes of the much younger welfare parasite class in America.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Liberals - who are supposed to be so compassionate - always find a way to hurt the ones who are the most defenseless when times get tough.

In NC, due to “budget shortfalls”, jails are closing, inmates being stuffed into other jails - mental health facilities and networks closing, leaving many in need of mental health help wandering the streets.

Now they will force nursing homes to close!

And this while BILLIONS are being wasted every year in State and National government which supposedly cannot be “cut”....such as mega salaries (350K, i.e.) for some state workers in NC - plus the huge cost of early retirement paid for by taxpayers, plus thousands of jobs being done by state and federal government that only help to pay off some little nitch group or supporter.

GRRRRR.