Senate Begins Health Reform Debate

VHCA (12/4/2009)

The U.S. Senate began debate earlier this week on its version of the health care reform legislation – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  The 2,074-page bill has many provisions that will impact the long term and post-acute care profession – including nursing home and assisted living settings. AHCA has conducted a thorough analysis of the bill that is available here.

Updated advocacy letters have been posted on the AHCA website. Taking action now will put skilled nursing facilities in the best possible position when the final bill is negotiated. If you have not already done so, please click here to be sure your voice is heard by your Senators and Representative today.
 
Senator John McCain offered an amendment to the current bill in order to remove all Medicare cuts from the bill, stating that the Senate shouldn’t “put the cost of it on the backs of the senior citizens of this country.”  The amendment failed on Thursday along party lines.  Additionally during the debate, several other Senators have publicly voiced their specific opposition to Medicare cuts to skilled nursing facilities. Senate debate is projected to continue until the end of the month.

Last week, AHCA staff provided an updated analysis of both House and Senate proposals along with key positions supported by the long term care profession.  We will pass along updates to this summary as they are available.