OHCA to Governor: It's About Care Not "Winning"

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) responded today to comments by Governor John Kasich criticizing the association for television advertisements taking the Governor to task for proposing massive cuts to funding for care to Ohio's frail and elderly.

OHCA Executive Director Peter Van Runkle said, "Our goal is not 'winning,' as the Governor suggested, but protecting care for the people we serve. The Governor's cuts will harm them, and we have the obligation to make that known."

OHCA has quantified the impact of the budget cuts as over 7,000 jobs in Ohio's skilled nursing facilities. "A reduction of 7,000 caregivers absolutely will result in negative consequences for care. The Governor has not refuted that basic fact."

Van Runkle pointed out that 18,500 Ohioans have called to express their concern about the proposed cuts to skilled nursing care.  "These are not lobbyists, they are ordinary people who feel that our elders are worthy of the dignity and respect that comes with quality care," he said.

"What's scary is the reality of a half a billion dollars in cuts to skilled nursing care.  We didn't make this up.  These are the Governor's cuts and they will cut vital care.  There's no way around that," explained Van Runkle.  

The Ohio Health Care Association is a non-profit association of more than 700 SNFs, assisted living communities, and providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, representing over 50,000 individuals. Many OHCA members also provide a variety of home and community-based services.  OHCA is the largest long-term care association in the state, and the only chartered Ohio affiliate of the American Health Care Association, representing more than 12,000 long-term care facilities nationwide.

SOURCE Ohio Health Care Association