CANTON – For the past 15 years skilled nursing facilities across New York
State have not seen an increase in their Medicaid reimbursement rates, leading
to the creation of a coalition that is bringing the fight to Albany with the
intent of receiving a 20% increase in the state’s 2023-2024 budget.
Local media coverage of the coalition and its efforts recently prompted
newly elected Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) to state he would like to see
the state’s efforts focused on home health care, and allowing people to “age in
place.”
Northern Lights Home Health Care Vice President of Operations Katherine
A. Race said that while home health care is important, it’s not for everyone,
making skilled nursing care an important part of the health care continuum.
“In order to be signed on for home health care there are federal
guidelines you have to meet,” she said.
One of those guidelines is you have to be able to exit your home safely.
“A lot of times we will meet with people seeking home health care, but
they can’t be home alone for any period of time. That will disqualify them from
qualifying for our services,” she said.
Another issue Ms. Race said is insurance policies which will not pay for
home health care, but will cover skilled nursing care.
“There are a lot of people who do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot
afford to pay for home health services out of pocket if their insurance will
not cover them,” she said. “These people need a place to go where they can
receive the care they need and deserve.”
A shift to home health care for more people also assumes there are enough
providers to give that care – something that Ms. Race says is not the case.
“Like hospitals and nursing homes, we too are facing staffing
difficulties,” she said. “It takes a special kind of person to work in home
health care. We are going into people’s homes and working with whatever they
have available. Many of these people don’t have lift chairs or hospital-style
beds.”
That doesn’t even take into account precautionary measures, as a result
of COVID-19, which is still active in the community, and something home health
care providers are dealing with on a near daily basis.
“Our staff is doffing and donning PPE (personal protective equipment) on
people’s porches, in hallways, or in some instances while standing outside of
their vehicles,” she said. “It’s very hard to recruit people who are willing to
do all of this.”
Ms. Race said she is pleased that Assemblyman Gray recognizes the
importance of home health care, but she said their funding should not come at
the expense of skilled nursing facilities.
“It’s great to see the state wanting to put money in the community, but
at the end of the day these folks are going to age out and need a place to go.
We need options,” she said.
Those
wishing to support the coalition’s efforts may send an automatically generated
message to Gov. Hochul by visiting https://p2a.co/Q2wLwJZ.
People may also reach out to Mr. Gray, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, Senator
Mark Walczyk, and Senator Dan Stec.
Mr.
Gray, Mr. Blankenbusg, Mr. Walczyk, and Mr. Stec all represent portions of St.
Lawrence County in the state legislature.
On
the web:
https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/mark-walczyk
https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/daniel-g-stec
https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=116
(Mr. Gray)
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