Cuts to Medicaid programs in Louisiana could lead to more than 30,000 senior citizens being kicked out of nursing homes. People with developmental disabilities and those receiving home care will also be affected, and the loss of residents could lead some nursing homes to close, threatening many jobs.
The Louisiana House has voted on a budget that would make $538 million in healthcare cuts, including to Medicaid programs specifically helping disabled and elderly people:
The proposed budget eliminated the Medicaid Long Term Care Special Income Level Program, which enabled those with incomes of greater than $750 a month and less than $2,250 a month to receive Medicaid, according to Jim Tucker, CEO of CommCare Corp., a nonprofit that operates 12 nursing homes.
That program provides health services for about 80% of nursing facility residents, according to the Louisiana Nursing Home Association.
Tucker, a former House Speaker in Louisiana, said the new proposed guidelines would cap income eligibility at $750 a month or less.
No more than $750 a month or you’re on your own, old people!
"Worried over calls from Broadway Elder Living Center advising that #Medicaid support for my 90 y/o father (a Korean War vet) and my 86 y/o mother may get cut off," David Grabert wrote on social media on Tuesday.
"Mom called me crying over this unconscionable threat to losing nursing home care desperately needed," Grabert wrote.
The state Senate has yet to pass this budget, so now is the time for Louisiana’s senior citizens, their families, nursing home workers, and anyone who doesn’t want to see tens of thousands of nursing home patients kicked out to fend for themselves to give their state senator a call.