Nursing homes not place for cutbacks

During his budget address, Gov. Pat Quinn announced a 6 percent Medicaid budget cut to nursing homes for the upcoming fiscal year, cutting more than $100 million from services to the sickest and frailest of Illinois citizens. This massive cut will put the health and well-being of thousands of nursing home residents in peril, and thousands of health care workers will lose their jobs.

We understand the concept of everyone playing their part in tight budget times. But this cut targets seniors who have spent all their lives building our communities and neighborhoods. They have made their contribution to all of us and now, when they need us most, we are putting the care they deserve in jeopardy. Nursing homes are legally and ethically bound to serve clients in need. They can’t just say “no” to admitting clients or providing required medical services. But the state budget cuts will inevitably endanger many of the nursing home care reforms recently passed by the legislature, such as increased nursing staff, enhanced background screening on all residents, and expanded psychiatric services, training and staff.

Nursing home providers have already played their part by working with the legislature last month to tax themselves $145 million. Using that tax, the state receives additional federal funding to support services for seniors both in the community and in nursing homes. By cutting services for our frailest seniors, the state loses millions of dollars of additional federal funding.

Nursing homes are people serving people. This huge budget cut is going to strike a terrible blow to our seniors, employees, families and communities.

Pat Comstock

Executive director

Health Care Council of Illinois

Springfield