Contact: Kevin Kavanaugh (773) 391-0272
Mark Westenberger (217) 415-8384
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2009
Looming Medicare
Cuts Threaten Medical Care for Illinois Seniors
Thousands of patients,
workers and families threatened by proposed cutbacks.
(SPRINGFIELD,
IL) Congress is considering measures
that would drastically reduce Medicare dollars available to states for skilled
nursing care. Such a move would be especially devastating to the states like Illinois
where the Medicaid rates are substantially less than the actual cost of
providing care.
“The average
daily rate for providing 24-hour nursing, housing and meals to a Medicaid
nursing home resident is about $118 per day. That is nearly $30 per day less
than the actual costs to care for a Medicaid resident, according to filed cost
reports required by federal law. Nursing
homes here in Illinois have been able to maintain the quality of the services
by using a portion of their Medicare and private pay payments to cover Medicaid
costs,” said Pat Comstock, executive director of the Health Care Council of
Illinois.
Two-thirds
of Illinois nursing home residents in Illinois have Medicaid as their source of
coverage. One-third is funded by Medicare or other private pay sources. The
financial burden to bridge the existing gap falls on many residents and their
families who are already under tremendous financial stress given the state of
our economy.
Comstock
says: “If Medicare rates are reduced without a corresponding increase in
Medicaid reimbursement in Illinois, providers will no longer be able to serve
Medicaid residents properly.” In short, those who can afford it the least will
suffer the most if this plan is adopted.
Although
providers in all states will feel the pinch, these cuts will have a dramatic
impact on Illinois nursing home residents, because the Medicaid rate in
Illinois is so far below the cost of providing care, it has earned Illinois the
honor of having the second lowest Medicaid rate in the nation. The Medicare
cuts will not impact care provided in other large states to the same degree
because they pay more to provide the very same care. Illinois’ average Medicaid rate of $118 per
day is $42 per day less than the national average.
This is a
critical time and a critical issue for the 55,000 nursing residents in Illinois
whose care is paid by the Medicaid program and for the people who love them. It
is also critical for the 80,000 dedicated employees who care for them.
"We are
looking to our Congressional Delegation for leadership but they need hear from
family and friends,” said Comstock. “Our elderly and the care they get is all
of our business. They never turned their
back on this country and we can't turn our backs on them.”
For more
information and to schedule interviews and photo opportunities at a facility
that would be impacted near you, please contact ****** Kevin Kavanaugh
773-391-0272 or Mark Westenberger 217-415-8384
# # #
The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is a professional association of more than 600 nursing facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. HCCI represents more than 65,000 nursing home professionals serving more than 52,000 residents.