Press conference advocates preserving Medicaid funding
May 13—DUNMORE — Nursing home careworkers and health care advocates held a press conference Tuesday in support of preserving Medicaid funding for the over three million Pennsylvanians just as Congress begins debating a federal budget that proposes significant cuts to the program, a move that health care workers said would "devastate the health economy" of NEPA.
Representatives of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents tens of thousands of other health care workers across the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association, and Pennsylvania Health Access Network joined nursing home careworkers at the Dunmore Healthcare Center to speak out against the potential Medicaid cuts and discuss their impact on residents of the Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, which includes a large portion of Luzerne County.
According to AP News, the Energy and Commerce Committee reconciliation recommendations include at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid over the next 10 years.
SEIU President Matt Yarnell said cuts to Medicaid would deal a sharp blow to health care centers, including nursing homes, that are already struggling with underfunding, widespread closures and workforce shortages.
"These cuts will cause higher health care insurance costs, increased taxes, and less access to medical services for every resident. They would also force drastic reductions in other essential programs, widespread job losses and damage to local economies. This is a matter of life or death," Yarnell.
According to data compiled by the state's Department of Human Services, of the 200,000 residents in the 8th congressional district that are enrolled in Medicaid, over 100,000 live in Luzerne County.
Statewide, 59% of nursing home residents receive Medicaid benefits, along with 21% of adults under the age of 65.
According to Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, an estimated 59% of children in the 8th congressional district are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
"Medicaid is a critical lifeline for vulnerable seniors, military veterans and people with disabilities, including five out of eight nursing home residents," Yarnell said.
Yarnell and others spoke highly of Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who represents the 8th congressional district and has stated repeatedly that he opposes gutting Medicaid.
Ahead of several House committee meetings Tuesday, Bresnahan on April 17, along with 11 other House Republicans, sent a letter to House Republican Leadership, reiterating their support for the program.
"Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security," the letter stated.
While the lawmakers said they acknowledged that "we must reform Medicaid" they also said potential cuts would "threaten the viability of hospitals, nursing homes and safety-net providers nationwide."
The letter continued, "Many hospitals — particularly in rural and under served areas — rely heavily on Medicaid funding, with some receiving over half their revenue from the program alone. Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. When hospitals close, it affects all constituents, regardless of health care coverage."
Lori Steeves, nursing home administrator for the Dunmore Healthcare Center, echoed similar concerns in her speech Wednesday, saying potential Medicaid cuts, "present an immediate threat to seniors, people with disabilities, and the health and economy of our entire commonwealth."
"I want to be crystal clear. Nursing homes are already hanging on by a thread because of underfunding. We are constantly forced to make hard choices while we work to ensure safe staffing, quality of care for our residents, and the recruitment and retention of employees. There is zero excess or wiggle room for Pennsylvania nursing homes," she said.
Lucy Hurst, a certified nursing assistant at Dunmore Health Care with 50 years of experience, said proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating to the residents she serves.
"It makes me angry — really angry — that politicians are treating seniors and their loved ones with disabilities like they don't have any value to their life. It's all about greed and more greed. Politicians want to take away essential health care to give big tax breaks to the super-rich. I think it's disgusting and it's very un-American," said Hurst.
In conclusion, she stated, "This matters to everyone in NEPA and our state because someday you or a loved one will need care through a nursing home or a hospital. We're all going to get old and fall ill at some point in our lives."
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