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Deficit Reduction: How it Affects Long-Term Care Consumers & What You Can Do
As you know by now, Congress's super committee failed to come up with a plan that would have cut the federal deficit by $1.2 to $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Those of us whose lives bring us in daily contact with the critical role that Medicare, Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and other federal programs play in long-term care can breathe a sigh of relief that a process conducted behind closed doors did not succeed. But that relief will be short-lived because concern about the deficit will not go away. Next week, the debate will begin again, and advocates must continue to support an approach to deficit reduction that is balanced between cuts and increased revenues and does not make those who are in need bear the burden of deficit reduction. The deficit reduction law passed in August now requires $1.5 trillion in cuts to become automatic beginning in 2013, with half from domestic programs and half from defense. Medicaid would be spared cuts, and Medicare would be limited to a 2 percent reduction that would come from provider payments, not benefits. Cutting provider payments would not spare beneficiaries, of course. Nursing homes are already reducing wages, benefits, and staff. Moreover, protecting Medicare and Medicaid would ratchet up the need to take reductions from discretionary programs like the Older Americans Act, which funds the long-term care ombudsman program and a significant network of home and community-based services. It is unlikely that either Democrats or Republicans will let a process go forward that would slash spending on programs that both hold dear, so the debate over cutting spending and raising revenues will probably continue for the remainder of this session and next year. Advocates must continue to make a strong case to their members of Congress and the White House for programs that are essential to provide long-term care for those who cannot afford it. We must also educate Congress and the public about the role that publicly funded agencies, including survey and certification agencies and the long-term care ombudsman program, play in reducing health care costs by ensuring safety, quality and compliance. We at the Consumer Voice are as concerned as you are about the stalemate in Washington, but we are thankful that we have more time to advocate for a fair and balanced resolution to reducing the deficit without harming those who are most in need.
What You Can Do NowCheck out our “Take Action” website to current opportunities to get involved. Tools You Can Use
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