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Louisiana’s proposed state budget includes a devastating cut that eliminates the Medicaid Long Term Care Special Income Level Program Eligibility Group, which provides healthcare services for approximately 80% of nursing facility residents. These Medicaid recipients can expect a letter later this week announcing that, as of July 1, 2018, they will no longer qualify for their current Medicaid coverage. Once they’re declared ineligible by the state, they will have to be discharged from their nursing facility overnight, leaving their families to scramble to find other housing options and the vital healthcare services that they require to continue to live. And, unfortunately for many nursing facility residents, there are no other options. In addition, most nursing facilities will be forced to close, which will restrict access to all residents and leave more than 25,000 Louisianans unemployed.

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association (LNHA) is continuing to work closely with our members, residents, families and staff to identify next steps for those who will be affected by these unimaginable cuts.

This is not the time to take sides in a political debate. We are not concerned with politics, but with the health, safety and livelihood of tens of thousands of Louisiana’s elderly who will be hurt. On behalf of our residents, families and staff, we are hopeful that our elected officials will soon restore these cuts.