Letter to the editor: Nursing home Medicaid rates

Thanks for the article “Flat Medicaid rates concern Pennsylvania nursing homes” (March 7, TribLIVE). It highlights the inadequacy of the current state budget proposal, which calls for no increase in Medicaid rates for nursing home care. Pennsylvania has one of the largest 85-plus populations in the nation, and seniors are coming to us from hospitals sicker and quicker, requiring much higher levels of care. The need for strong, high quality, fiscally sound nursing homes is a must.

Over the past 14 years, the cost for nursing home care has increased nearly 33%, but Pennsylvania’s reimbursement has increased just over 17%.

We urge the Wolf administration and Pennsylvania General Assembly to support an annual increase in the budget for nursing homes of at least 2.8%, which would be on par with the federal calculated one-year increase of cost.

Pennsylvania deserves to have the best senior care system in the nation. When the day comes that older adults can no longer live at home, they deserve to live comfortably in nursing homes with the best care. It’s time for state government to pay its fair share.

James B. Pieffer

Oakmont

The writer is senior vice president of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network and a LeadingAge board member.