“Our organization’s approach has been to work with the Administration and Congress to improve lives and care delivery while at the same time working to remove costs out of the system,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL.  “We do that by reducing hospital readmissions, placing seniors in the most appropriate health settings, and redoubling our efforts on quality. We shouldn’t have an approach focused solely on cuts.  Unfortunately, the President’s budget reflects that singular direction. 

“Cutting payments such as the White House’s bad debt provision is tantamount to cutting Medicare benefits.  And limiting provider assessments will only add to the Medicaid burdens at the state level.  This sort of budgeting violates the basic contract between the government and beneficiaries - namely, that covered services will be paid. 

“There is a lot of talk in Washington that programs should be ‘fully paid for.’ We agree.  Medicare and Medicaid funding for senior health care should be fully paid for.  We want to and will work with both parties and this administration to meet the commitments we made years ago to the Greatest Generation and their families,” concluded Parkinson. 

Last week, AHCA/NCAL issued its own budget recommendations to the White House for consideration. These recommendations were intended as a patient-centered blueprint for stable funding in Medicaid and Medicare for the long term and post-acute care programs. 

Download a copy of the 2013 budget recommendations or visit the AHCA/NCAL website for more information.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represent nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.