The nursing home industry is headed for a crisis. It comes as the nation's baby boomers age ever closer toward needing nursing home care. The nation's nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services, possibly even closing, because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession and deep federal and state government spending cuts.
A Medicare rate adjustment that cuts an estimated $16 billion in nursing home funding over the next 10 years was enacted on top of state-level cuts or flat-funding that already had the industry reeling. This year, 24 states have cut funding for nursing home care and other health services needed by low-income people who are elderly or disabled. The annual closure rate is rising, for reasons that include inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates and the push for more home and community care.
Memories of family and home
