New York State must reform and rationalize nursing home reimbursement, with a down payment of $510 million in 2024.
WHY?
- Medicaid is the main payer for nursing home care in NY
- On average, New York’s nursing home Medicaid rates cover only 75% of the cost of care
- Nursing home rates are still based on 2007 costs, impacting older adults’ access to care close to home
- Today, there are 5,600 fewer nursing home beds available than there were in 2019, largely due to the shortage of health care workers
GET TO KNOW THE BUDGET PROCESS
Currently, the State Departments, including the Department of Health, are putting together their proposed budgets for FY 2025. These proposals will go to the Budgeting Director and the Governor to draft a balanced budget based on these proposals. It is important that during this critical planning time to urge the Governor and Budgeting Director to include significant Medicaid reimbursements.
KEY DATES
- January 9th – State of the State Address by Governor Hochul
- January 16th – Executive Budget Proposal Release
- February 15th – 30-day Amendments from the Governor
- March 15th (approx.) – One House Budgets are Released
- April 1st – Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25
WHAT IS HERITAGE DOING TO HELP?
Heritage leadership is currently working with Leading Age New York to urge the Governor and Budgeting Director to significantly increase funding for Medicaid in the 2024 budget.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Sign the digital letter urging the governor to reform and invest in the Nursing Home Medicaid Program! We are launching a digital letter-writing campaign, written from the perspective of different stakeholders. Please amplify our message!
– Sign up for the Heritage Advocacy Newsletter to receive up to date information on when we need your support most (select under “Email Lists” options)
– Follow us on Facebook for educational information about the importance of this year’s legislative budgeting period
Heritage wants the proposed New York State 2024 Budget to get necessary Medicaid reimbursement rates right the first time. Stay tuned to see how you can help in the coming months. We appreciate your support.
Rural healthcare in Chautauqua County needs your voice now!
New York is seeking input from older adults, individuals, and caregivers on the Master Plan for Aging (MPA). The Master Plan for Aging is designed to ensure that older adults and individuals of all ages can live healthy, fulfilling lives while aging with dignity and independence.
2023 SUMMARY UPDATE
As we rapidly approach a new year and budget cycle, we encourage you to review the 2023 legislative work and advocacy effort outcomes. Heritage thanks you for your support and engagement, as this vital work can only be done with full community support.
To see a full recap of our efforts with our
policy partners, Leading Age New York, click here.
Our team is working to educate legislative and regulatory leaders on our budget requirements.
When Governor Hochul releases her budget for 2024, we look forward to working with you to ensure these measures are confirmed. At Heritage, our critical priorities remain:
- Addressing the ongoing staffing shortage
- Increasing Medicaid reimbursement to a sustainable level
- Reform and rationalization of the Medicaid nursing home reimbursement system
WHY ARE THESE OUR PRIORITIES?
- Staffing shortages have led to over 5,600 bed closures statewide – these shortages lead to overcrowding in our hospitals who have nowhere to discharge patients in need of continued care
- Insufficient Medicaid increases put pressure on both the seniors and communities to bridge an $810 million funding gap – this affects 75% of nursing homes
GET STARTED
The Heritage Ministries public policy team advocates on behalf of our residents, their families, and our staff, to enact policies that will address the needs, quality care, and safety that ensures all our communities are beacons of Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living. Add your voice to ours!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
1. Sign up to be an advocate!
2. Write to your representative.
3. Like us on Facebook for real-time updates.
4. Contact your representatives (below).
The Real World: Recent Staffing-Related News
“Rural America Is Losing Nursing Homes, and Small Towns Are Reeling”
The loss of long-term-care facilities – and the “deserts” they leave behind – has cascading economic implications for communities.
-Bloomberg; October 11, 2023
“The federal aid directed at hospitals and nursing homes during the early part of the pandemic temporarily covered up the fundamental problems with the industry’s economics, says Kelly Arduino, head of the health-care practice at advisory firm Wipfli. With government assistance winding down, there will be more financial distress and closures. “It’s only going to get worse,” she says. “We all see it coming. We don’t see a mechanism for how to fix it.”
“Across the country, almost 690 nursing homes have shut their doors since 2020, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The American Health Care Association, an industry trade group, expects the number to keep ticking up in the coming years, because of a combination of rising labor costs, falling enrollments and government reimbursements that fall far short of paying the bills…”
Congress is currently considering many issues that affect the lives of seniors and their service providers. We need your help to make sure Congress hears how their actions impact you. Please take a moment to contact your representatives and make your voice heard. Take action today…click here to learn more and contact your representative!
Please contact Sallie Williams, Vice President of Advancement at advocacy@heritage1886.org for more information or to share your concerns.
SAMPLE SOCIAL POSTS FOR YOUR USE
SKILLED NURSING/NURSING HOMES
@GovKathyHochul MUST provide meaningful funding to NY Nursing Homes in this year’s budget! A 1% Medicaid increase after years of cuts is not enough. Nursing Homes need resources to be able to compete for staff and serve residents. All seniors deserve better. #SupportOurSeniors
@GovKathyHochul ALL seniors deserve better funding and support from the state. Nearly 75% of nursing home care is paid for by Medicaid; the rest is mostly Medicare. Better staffing in nursing homes requires better funding than a 1% increase to inadequate rates. #SupportOurSeniors
@GovKathyHochul No funding has been provided to enable nursing homes to meet new staffing mandates, which ignore the reality of the healthcare workforce crisis. We need funding and support for nursing homes, not penalties! We must do better.
@GovKathyHochul NY nursing homes need over 12,000 new nurses and aides to comply with the 3.5 nurse hour mandate. Homes cannot reach this shared goal of enhanced staffing without a substantial Medicaid increase to recruit them. Please #SupportOurSeniors in this budget!
ASSISTED LIVING
@GovKathyHochul State funding is going to Broadway, bars and the Bills, but not for needed COVID relief funding to adult care facilities and assisted living. Don’t leave these residents and staff behind. Please #SupportOurSeniors!
@GovKathyHochul After 14 years without a Medicaid increase, New York’s assisted living programs need more than a 1% increase. Low-income older adults living in these settings deserve better. Please #SupportOurSeniors in the final budget!
RECENT ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
Heritage Ministries, a leading provider of senior care services, is committed to supporting Lutheran Social Services (LSS) as they announce…
In these final hours to advance priority issues, predominantly Nursing Home and Assisted Living Program Rebasing, and the Role of…
It’s Time to Invest in Our Seniors: Heritage Ministries Urges New York State to Increase Medicaid Rates by 20% in 2023-2024…
“Our seniors and those who care for them deserve better than a system that is constantly in survival mode” Heritage…
KEY CONTACTS
Please share this message and contact information with family members waiting to see their loved ones - encourage them to contact Governor Hochul today!