Indiana Health Advocates, Nursing Home Administrators Address Impact of Medicaid Spending Reduction

During a forum in Gary, Ind., on Oct. 2, more than 300 nursing home advocates and employees discussed the impact of $250 million in cuts to the state Medicaid program's budget scheduled to fully take effect June 30 and the possibility of more budget reductions, the AP/Indianapolis Star reports. The cuts, made to balance the state budget, affect operating funds for nursing homes, hospitals and ambulance services, the Star reports. Some say that the cuts have made nursing facilities unable to maintain staffing levels needed for quality care. Some Northwest Indiana nursing homes that serve a lot of Medicaid beneficiaries might be forced to close because of the pending cuts. But Cindy Collier, a spokesperson for the state Family and Social Services administration, said the state was "wasting money paying for empty beds" because many nursing homes are half-empty. "The nursing home industry is bilking itself. There are too many [homes]. It's like having four hotels on one corner," Collier said. State Sen. Earline Rogers (D) said the state could avoid further cuts by raising taxes, adding, "Beware of people who say 'No new taxes.' If there are no new taxes that means fewer services for people in need." State Rep. Charlie Brown (D), chair of the House Public Health Committee, warned forum attendees that more cuts may be coming unless the state's financial situation "drastically improves" (AP/Indianapolis Star, 10/4).