TAMI GREEN
February 22nd, 2011
As we continue to manage the fallout of a worldwide recession, my colleagues and I in Olympia are doing our best to act quickly and responsibly.
That’s why I think it’s crucial we remain open to innovative solutions as we work together toward building the road to recovery. Through collaboration we can cushion the impact of a recession that has gripped communities all across our nation.
The state House of Representatives recently passed a supplemental budget that contains across-the-board cuts to hundreds of programs, impacting the lives of almost every Washington resident.
However, nearly $100 million in new cuts to Washington’s nursing homes can be avoided. These cuts directly impact quality care for thousands of low-income, vulnerable seniors, as well as eliminate family-wage jobs for folks who provide their care.
By adopting the nursing home Safety Net Assessment we can leverage federal matching funds to cover an additional cost to Medicaid-dependent only facilities. In turn, no new taxes are required – and we don’t have to dip any further into scarce state funds.
The proposal is simple: Nursing homes will pay a fee to the state based mostly on services provided to low-income Medicaid-funded residents. The state then leverages those dollars to win matching funds from the federal Medicaid program.
The additional federal resources are then re-distributed to those homes that paid the fee and are directed toward cost of care only – strict limits are placed on how they can be used.
The Safety Net Assessment proposal is based on near-identical legislation used in 37 other states. Our Washington tax dollars are at work across the nation helping to protect the care of our frail and elderly, and it’s time for us to share in that benefit.
Without the Safety Net Assessment, the supplemental budget will result in near immediate loss of quality care and family wage jobs – many in rural communities with few options for families and patients.
Almost 70 percent of all long-term care costs are staff-related – the nursing assistants, dietary technicians, registered nurses and therapists who help maintain state and federal standards for care, and provide loving, personal service to thousands of vulnerable adults.
The unintended consequences of pending cuts will be felt across our state. One such proposal would discharge low-acuity, mentally ill patients with minor physical impairments from nursing homes – some back into more costly institutional care or even incarceration.
The Safety Net Assessment is supported by patient advocates, care providers and facility owners who agree that this is the only way to avoid these cuts and even deeper cuts that will be part of the next biennial budget.
Bipartisan collaboration is vital in finding innovative solutions in this tough economy. By working together we can protect some of our most vulnerable without an additional cost to state taxpayers. Together, we can provide a proven, effective and transparent process that dedicates needed resources directly to quality care.
Adopting the proposed Safety Net Assessment is crucial to protecting not only the thousands of low-income, vulnerable seniors in Washington, but also thousands of jobs throughout communities in every corner of our state. State Rep. Tami Green, D-Lakewood, represents the 28th Legislature District.
Published by The News Tribune: https://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/22/v-printerfriendly/1554314/we-must-work-together-to-avoid.html#ixzz1GmnbcMKW