Assembly Budget Proposal Restores Governor’s Cuts to Nursing Homes and Home Health Care Services

Protects the most vulnerable members of
our communities — the frail elderly and disabled

The Assembly’s budget resolution restores all of the Governor’s proposed cuts to Medicaid, paving the way for $327 million* to help nursing homes and home health care services provide quality care.

At a time when the State expects a nearly $4 billion surplus, it is unconscionable that the Governor’s budget proposal slashes Medicaid funding to the most vulnerable members of our society.

New York’s nursing homes are facing severe staffing shortages, and many of them are losing money. Even as they struggle to provide quality care, the Governor’s budget cuts back on the resources they need.

The shortage of registered nurses and certified nurse aides poses a heavy burden for nursing home employees –– and adversely affects the quality of care they are able to give their patients. That’s why the Assembly Majority’s budget proposal sets aside $100 million in new funding to address nursing home quality of care and staffing issues. Under our budget, the state will also pick up the counties’ share of this cost so local taxpayers won’t have to bear the burden. The new state funding will draw $100 million in matching funds from the Federal Government.

The Department of Health would also be directed to hire additional nursing home inspection and surveillance staff and provide for new training initiatives for all inspectors in order to better identify problems in residential health care facilities.

And to protect our vulnerable nursing home residents, we will take steps to ensure that the provision of quality care is the top priority. Our plan will also:

• enhance staffing levels;

• improve accountability;

• establish a hotline to receive nursing home complaints;

• direct the Department of Health to disclose to the public incidents of adverse patient care on an annual basis; and,

• increase fines for nursing homes that do not take appropriate corrective actions.

The need to recruit and retain qualified nurses and nurses’ aides is also of paramount importance to New York’s hospitals. To address hospitals’ operating and staffing needs, the Assembly’s budget proposal sets aside $50 million to help them deliver quality health care services and recruit and retain experienced health care workers.

Another essential component of New York State’s health care delivery system is home health care, which enables the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes and still receive the care they need. The Assembly budget proposal includes an additional $5 million to address home care workforce issues –– an appropriation which will make an additional $5 million available through federal matching funds.

The Assembly has consistently fought to make New York a more affordable, healthier place to live.

In addition to improving the quality of our nursing homes and home health care services, the Assembly budget rejects the Governor’s proposal to cut $34.5 million in state support from the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program, which provides seniors with affordable prescription medication.

It is essential that we give nursing homes, hospitals and home health professionals the tools they need to do their jobs. As this year’s budget negotiations proceed, we urge the Senate to join us in budget conference committees to work out an agreement that reinforces a strong commitment to maintaining the health, well-being and independence of all New Yorkers.

*Includes state, federal and local shares

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