"Cuts to assisted living are outrageous"

[The Straight Story]

Recent news stories have informed us that cuts to Medicaid waiver assisted living providers will force residents out of their current homes and into nursing homes at a far greater cost to the state.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer blames the Legislature, but seems to forget that these cuts were contained in his proposed budget. HB2 was passed with the governor's cuts in place, and while other Medicaid providers will see a 2 percent cut, assisted living facilities are expected to see a rate cut of 10 percent.

The first victim of these cuts is a Korean war veteran with dementia, who served as a medic in combat conditions and helped save the lives of other American soldiers. The reimbursement rate for his care has gone from $71.67/day to $65.05/day, which is approximately $40/day less than the cost to provide care. His case management team says that he will have to be placed in a nursing home which will cost Medicaid $180/day.

The governor could prevent this with one phone call to DPHHS! They have the discretion to use their budget to prevent assisted living residents from being displaced to nursing homes, but say that they are acting in accordance with the direction from the governor's office.


Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_4ea45d4a-76d9-546d-ac25-79962d82b5a6.html#ixzz1SlhZfpLc