Home

nyahsa

New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging

NYAHSA Home  »  Press Releases

Legacy Doc ID# 14403501

For Release: March 4, 2005

Contact:  Daniel Curran 518-449-2707, ext. 124 518-369-6890 (cell)

Nursing Homes Work to “Preserve Access to Senior Services”
NYAHSA Members to Protest Medicaid Cuts

(ALBANY) – Representatives of more than 630 long term care providers from across the state will converge on Albany on Monday, March 7, 2005, to meet with state legislators and launch a grassroots campaign “PASS:  Preserve Access to Senior Services.”

The campaign, which explains that “some cuts hurt more than others,” helps New Yorkers voice their opposition to the state’sproposed Medicaid cutsand explain the devastating impact such cuts will have on nursing homes and other long term care providers in Senate and Assembly districts across New York. 

NYAHSA’s members will also give state legislators copies of “Situation Critical:  New York’s Nursing Homes Face Growing Threat,” an analysis of state Health Department data, which shows that if proposed state budget cuts were implemented the average operating loss of -$52,000 for a nursing home would plunge to -$460,000.

The state budget proposal released in January would slash nursing home state spending by over $530 million in the upcoming fiscal year through Medicaid rate cuts and an assessment tax increase.

“New York’s nursing homes are fighting for survival, especially the not-for-profit, mission-driven and public organizations,” said Carl S. Young , president of the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging.  “Medicaid cuts like those proposed in the state budget threaten quality and access for all New Yorkers--not just Medicaid recipients--who need long term care services."

During their visit to Albany on Legislative Day, NYAHSA members will brief legislators and aides on key issues including the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts, details of proposals to help providers adapt to accommodate the needs of future generations and ways to assist financially distressed nursing homes.

The representatives, all of whom are members of the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) and represent the state’s not-for-profit, mission-driven and public long term care providers, will meet with more than 100 state legislators.

“New York’s legislators need to hear about the negative impact of these cuts and how these issues will impact their constituents,” Young continued. “We thank NYAHSA’s members for working to make this message heard.”

-30-

Founded in 1961, the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) represents nearly 650 not-for-profit, mission-driven and public continuing care providers, including nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and community service providers.