For the tenth consecutive year, the NJ State Legislature is proposing massive Medicaid funding cuts in their 2008 FY budget. The elimination of $23.25 million in state cuts (which would be matched by a loss of $23.25 million in federal funds) results from a 50% cut in inflation adjustment (based on 2006 costs) and elimination of all payments for bed holds while patients are temporarily hospitalized. Even before these proposed cuts, Medicaid pays nursing facilities only $7.79 per hour to care for these residents.
Obviously, these cuts will disproportionately affect facilities, such as the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, with high percentages of Medicaid residents. It is critical for members of our community to contact their respective State Senate and Assembly members to indicate support of the “FY 2008 State Budget Resolution” which restores the $23.25 million in state funding for Medicaid certified nursing homes to allow facilities such as the Jewish Home to continue to be able to deliver quality of care to our frailest and neediest seniors.
You can contact your legislators at http://capwiz.com/aahsa/home.