In Response to President Obama's FY 2013 Federal Budget, the Following is a Statement by Alan G. Rosenbloom, President of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "With America's skilled nursing facility (SNF) sector already slated to absorb $127 billion in Medicare reductions over the FY 2012-21 budget window, any additional direct payment cuts in the FY 2013 federal budget will further jeopardize seniors' access to quality care, worsen facility job losses, and risk pushing America's second largest health facility employer over the edge.

"Within the past 12 months, 32 states have cut or frozen Medicaid funding for SNFs. Because approximately 70 percent of SNF patient care is paid for by government programs, the combined impact of Medicare and Medicaid cuts has pushed overall SNF operating margins below 1 percent, the lowest of any health care sector. Because of the enormous pressure on our facilities, our patients and our workforce resulting from a 2011 regulation that reduced Medicare funding by 11.1 percent, we reiterate the need for a three-year phase in of the regulation as soon as possible.

"As more specific details of the President's budget are discerned, the Alliance intends to aggressively spotlight the cumulative funding pressures placed on facilities, staffing and patient care. Working with the Administration and with Congress, we will continue to advance policy proposals to help sustain documented improvements in care quality in the most cost-efficient manner possible."

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care is a coalition of 12 leading post-acute and long term care organizations providing quality skilled nursing care to American seniors and disabled in approximately 1,400 facilities in 44 states nationwide.

SOURCE Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care

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