Dear Governor Hochul,

 

I am writing to you today to ask for an increase in the Medicaid rate for the 2023-24 budget. As you may be aware, our population demographic is aging and with the continued growth of the oldest segment of the population, many of them will require long-term care either at home or in a nursing home.

 

After speaking with some of our nursing home, hospital, and health/human services members we learned that over 65% of individuals who are 75 today will need some type of long-term care. And over 70% of all residents in nursing homes rely on Medicaid to pay for their care – and reimbursement for their care is controlled by New York State. 

 

We also learned over 70 not for profit nursing homes have closed or sold to for-profit owners over the past 7 years; and many more are on the brink. Nursing homes need a minimum of a 20% increase in Medicaid funding (which is less than one-half of the actual inflation since the last adjustment in 2008). When nursing homes fail, it backs up into the entire hospital system.

 

In addition, uncontrollable expense increases, healthcare worker shortage, and other factors have contributed to New York State’s healthcare crisis.

 

Knowing that New York State hasn’t provided an inflationary adjustment to Medicaid rates for 15 consecutive years, we are concerned for the care of our aging population and the vitality of the organizations that are in place to support this population.

 

Please consider investing in New York’s healthcare system to ensure that our hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare services can continue to provide the best care for New Yorkers.

                                                                                                                 

With Gratitude,

 

 

Tricia Rogers

President & CEO

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce

CC:      Senator Dan Stec, NY-45

            Senator Jacob Ashby, NY-43

            Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, NY-113

            Assemblyman Matt Simpson, NY-114