Parker Jewish Institute President and CEO Michael N. Rosenblut, along with members of the Institute’s leadership team, were in Albany this week, calling on lawmakers to oppose nursing home Medicaid cuts.
Officials from Parker met with state Senators Anna Kaplan, John Liu, Shelly Mayer, and state Assemblymen David Weprin, Anthony D’Urso, Edward Braunstein, and Daniel Rosenthal.
Mr. Rosenblut warned lawmakers that cuts to Medicaid would be dire. These looming cuts come at a time when the aging population is growing, and demand for the services of skilled nursing facilities is on the rise. Currently, there are 3.2 million New York State residents who are 65 and older, and that number is expected to increase by one million in the next 10 years.
“The impending cuts would jeopardize jobs and quality of care in nursing homes, putting more than 600 nursing homes throughout New York State at risk,” Rosenblut said.
Parker Jewish Institute serves more than 7,000 individuals annually, employs more than 1,110 staff members and contributes more than $25 million to the local economy each year.
“These cuts would fall on the backs of seniors and their families,” Mr. Rosneblut told state officials.
Nursing homes, some of which are already operating in negative margins, would be forced to reduce staffing and salaries, and the quality of care would suffer, directly impacting families across the state, including on Long Island.
Submitted by Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
