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State yanking away seniors' safety net?

By Letter to the editor
Published: January 21, 2009

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Editor:

More then 62 percent of the residents of Virginia’s nursing homes are sponsored by Medicaid. Most Medicaid recipients in nursing homes were productive citizens; teachers, policemen, farmers, etc. that simply have outlived their savings. In caring for them last year, Virginia’s long term care facilities lost $78 million. Now Gov. Kaine, has recommended the General Assembly reduce funding for the Medicaid program by another $40 million.

We want to be the safety net that cares for Virginia’s sick, elderly and disabled, but we must provide real world competitive wages and pay our bills. We’re having a tough time making ends meet.

Virginia’s 270 nursing homes have a big impact on the state’s economy. We employ more than 30,000 Virginians who work in nearly every county with a payroll of $1.2 billion. My own facility employs 102 people. We buy goods and services in our communities, and we support local businesses and charitable activities. This cut will directly impact our community in a negative way.

But we can’t go on like this, with more cuts in funding and higher operating costs. Help us care for the elderly by telling our state legislators enough is enough. Remember, because of the senior population of our country we were able to grow and prosper and they were the inventors of “The American Dream” and they gave that dream to us. Please help us protect it.

Jerry M. Carpenter
Madison
Administrator
Autumn Care of Madison