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The nursing home industry and pro-institution forces are suing to keep the money flowing to nursing homes in Louisiana   "Nursing homes currently get $500 million a year in Medicaid money."   The Baton Rouge Advocate Feb. 25, 2000 The ( Baton Rouge, La.) Advocate Health care providers sue to stop Medicaid cuts By Marsha Shuler, Capitol news bureau Two rural hospitals and an operator of community homes for the mentally retarded filed suit Thursday seeking to block state Medicaid cuts set to go into effect March 1. In challenges in state and federal court, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Pointe Coupee General Hospital and Bunkie General Hospital allege the cuts violate constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. Health-care providers claim that the huge Medicaid cuts planned by the state will hurt poor people, diminish the quality of health care and force some companies out of business. Medicaid dollars are used to provide health-care to the poor. For more on this story, email us at freedom@freedomclearinghouse.org   Earlier stories and commentary on the Medicaid nursing home cuts in Louisiana The (Baton Rouge, La) Advocate Feb. 20, 2000 Louisiana Nursing home cuts planned; debate heated By Marsha Shuler, Capitol news bureau Terry Anderson, administrator at the Heritage Manor nursing home, is looking for ways to make $13,000 a month in budget cuts. The reason: The state is cutting back on Medicaid payments to his nursing home and more than 300 others in the state. One of the casualties could be a specialized Alzheimer's unit that requires extra staffing, Anderson said. Across town at Sterling Place, administrator Stephanie Marriott is trying to come up with $20,000 a month in cuts. A total of 138 of her 150 residents are Medicaid patients, so the cuts are hitting her facility particularly hard. "We will have to reduce staff. It's a horrible thing," said Marriott. Anderson and Marriott are among administrators at 320 nursing homes around the state struggling with a 7 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursement rates, which industry officials say are already too low. The cuts go into effect March 1, part of a Department of Health and Hospitals plan to bring current-year Medicaid spending under control. The cuts will probably continue into the next budget year, starting July 1, because state government is facing a $630 million budget hole. Over a full year, a 7 percent Medicaid cut amounts to a $35 million reduction. Nursing homes currently get $500 million a year in Medicaid money. Feb 22, 2000 The Jackson Independent News Letter to the editor I am writing this letter concerning the upcoming cuts in the Medicaid system. These cuts are to go into effect on March 1st. Most people may not even be aware of what is taking place with these cuts. I have been a Social Worker at Jackson Manor Nursing Home for almost five years, and it totally amazes me that someone can sit in an office and make a decision to make 7% cut in the system without even looking at the effects on the elderly. Nursing homes today receive from Medicaid an average of $68 per day for each resident. . . . please feel free to contact me at 318-259-7386. I think that it is time that we take a stand for the care and well-being of our elderly. They always took a stand for us. Tina Sessions Social Services Jackson Manor Jonesboro, LA xxxxx   Freedom Clearinghouse is a project of Free Hand Press, publisher of Mouth magazine. Website developed by Cliffwood Organic Works. Website hosted by DIMENET. | E-mail | Home |