Care cuts too deep

Every morning we read headlines regarding the worsening economy and instability of jobs. Health care is one of the only sectors experiencing growth. In fact, nursing homes are one of the few businesses hiring workers.

One should be very alarmed that our state elected officials have proposed significant cuts to long-term care. These cuts will most severely impact facilities that care for residents on Medicaid. They may lead to closure or reduction in capacity in order to assure health, safety and quality care. The decisions that our elected officials are making actually are twofold. Not only are state dollars cut, but federal government match is also lost. The federal stimulus package sets forth to (1) provide fiscal relief to states in a period of economic downturn and (2) protect and maintain state Medicaid programs during a period of economic downturn, including by helping to avert cuts to provider payment rates and benefits or services, and to prevent constrictions of income eligibility requirements for such programs, but not to promote increases in requirements.

I urge our Legislature to preserve jobs for health care workers, avoid additional cost shifting, avoid cuts to Medicaid patients in nursing homes and protect our state’s most vulnerable.

Nathan Dikes

CEO, Sunshine Health Facilities, Inc.

Spokane