Budget cuts threaten long-term care

Dear Families and Friends of Our Residents:

We need your help. You are a vitally important advocate for our residents and staff, and we’d like to invite you to become involved in the legislative process this year. The session began on January 12, 2009, in Olympia We are asking you to actively advocate for long-term care funding.

Governor Christine Gregoire has released a proposed budget that will be devastating to Medicaid recipients in long-term care. While this is only one step in the state’s budget development process, it is imperative that your legislators keep the commitment to our seniors by fully funding Medicaid care and services.

Our lawmakers need to hear that quality, affordable long-term care is important for all Washington citizens. Adequate funding is essential if seniors are to receive the care they deserve. Continued underfunding drives high staff turnover, which has impacts both financially and in the quality of care. When the state fails to adequately fund its Medicaid program, there is a financial impact on people who have planned to pay for their own care.

We all have a stake in this discussion. Please join us in holding our legislators accountable.

1) Provide us with your e-mail address so we can keep you informed about legislative actions that will impact Medicaid recipients in long-term care.

2) E-mail our district legislators with a message to keep the commitment to quality long-term care in Washington nursing homes and assisted living communities. We have enclosed a sample message for your ease of communication.

3) Call the toll-free legislative hotline – 1-800-562-6000 – and ask them to fully fund long term care.

4) Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of long-term care funding and a sustainable care system.

Here is contact information for our elected officials:

Senator Dale Brandland, Republican Whip (R) 42nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Olympia Office:
203 Irv Newhouse Building
PO Box 40442
Olympia, WA 98504-0442
(360) 786-7682 Fax: (360) 786-1999
E-mail form: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=S&District=42

Rep. Doug Ericksen (R) 42nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Olympia Office:
425B Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7980
E-mail form: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=42&Position=1

Rep. Kelli Linville (D) 42nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Olympia Office:
204 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7854
E-mail form: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=42&Position=2

Sample letter/e-mail:

Dear (Representative/Senator),

As the (daughter, son, spouse, etc.) of a resident in one of Washington’s nursing homes, it is important to me that you understand that our seniors need your help during this legislative session. The Governor’s proposed nursing home budget cuts may lead to closure for some nursing homes. For others, it will mean a significant reduction in capacity to assure health, safety and quality of care for residents.

A stable, quality system of long-term care is good for residents, workers, and all of us who may someday need nursing home care. Cuts in funding now will have long-term consequences on our ability to meet the needs of the elderly population.

The Legislature has promised to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens. Please confirm your commitment to quality care and do what is necessary to assure access for Medicaid residents in nursing homes.

Please let me know how you stand on this issue.

Thank you,

(Name)


Thank you for your help and support.

Tonja Myers,
Administrator