State Raises Idea Of Nursing Home Tax Budget Announcement Set For March 25 POSTED: 6:28 p.m. EST March 12, 2003 UPDATED: 6:19 p.m. EST March 14, 2003
Though no written proposal has been made, WTAE's Kelly Frey reports that members of the Rendell administration are discussing a potential $5-per-bed daily fee on nursing homes as a way to help balance the state budget. Such a fee would require homes to shell out $1,825 per patient each year. It is generating plenty of discussion within the care industry. Barbara Gottlieb, administrator for the nonprofit Jewish Association on Aging, which has homes in Squirrel Hill, says her agency would have to pay an additional $300,000 each year if the tax became a reality. "It's very shocking," Gottlieb said. "My stomach wrenched. Where do you get that knid of money from? The patients? You either have to take it from the people who pay privately or reduce services, and that's very frightening." The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging, which represents about 65,000 people statewide, also opposes the idea. "Let's call it what it is. It's a resident tax, because the residents who pay for their own care will be paying for it," said a statement released by PANPHA. The Pennsylvania Health Care Association, which was the only group consulted by the Rendell administration, is endorsing the idea. Alan Rosenbloom, of the PHCA, said many states use a similar fee to boost their share of federal matching dollars for Medicaid programs. Facilities who admit more Medicaid patients will be better off, he said. Gov. Ed Rendell announced part of his planned budget last week and is expected to unveil the rest of his proposals March 25. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
