The West Virginia Health Care Association praised members of the state’s U.S. House delegation after they signed a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as that agency considers a proposal that would cut Medicare reimbursement to nursing facilities.
The letter, signed by Republicans Shelley Moore Capito and David McKinley and Democrat Nick Rahall and 149 other Representatives, urges the agency to consider the data before making these deep $4 billion cuts. These cuts were proposed in April and based on less than one year of data when the agency traditionally makes such decision based on a full year of data. If these cuts were adopted, it could put more than 100,000 employees in multiple professions at risk.
Capito said she signed the letter to make sure the cuts are based on reliable information.
“I joined with dozens of members in the House to voice a concern that any Medicare payment adjustment to these facilities are based on reliable, accurate data to ensure their financial stability,” she said.
The West Virginia Health Care Association, part of the American Health Care Association, is advocating the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services slow down the process and follow its traditional practices. They ask that “the agency take a more measured approach and delay proposed cuts pending a review of data from a full year.”
They argue “financial stability is critical to ensuring sustainable, quality long-term care for Medicare beneficiaries in nursing facilities” and that the 3.1 million Americans employed at these facilities “are responsible for serving some of the frailest members of our society.”
Capito said health care providers need resources to care for the elderly and sick.
“I want to make sure the doctors, nurses and health care professionals receive the resources they need in order to better serve our senior citizens,” she said.
Source: www.wtrf.com
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