RV Tour Attempts to Stop Medicare Cuts to SNFs
"Driving for Quality Care" is the name of the American Health Care
Association's (AHCA) most recent grassroots effort to stop Medicare
cuts to skilled nursing facilities. AHCA would like AMDA chapters to
join the effort to ensure adequate Medicare resources for patients who
rely on skilled nursing care by getting involved in the RV Tour when it
stops in your state. The tour, which began its cross-country trek in
late March, has been stopping at skilled nursing facilities along the
route, hosting media events and grassroots drives with patients,
families and caregivers. It will end in Washington, D.C. in late
September.
The campaign incorporates mobilization of grassroots efforts,
legislative outreach to targeted key members of Congress, and media
events to raise public awareness, urging members of Congress to follow
the President's lead and take the initiative to protect vulnerable
seniors by preventing further cuts. Medicare is still facing a cut of
$35 per patient per day in 2003, and as this extension is for just one
year, we anticipate another cut in 2004 of $68 per patient per day.
AHCA members and concerned citizens have been quite successful in
attracting local media coverage and engaging the interest of Congress.
State chapter involvement will contribute to the impact of these events
since all of the key elements of the long term care community will be
represented. The Coalition would be happy to reach out to your local
state chapter members to alert them to the "Driving for Quality Care"
RV Tour.
AMDA chapters can participate in local events by contacting Ellen Almond, Events Coordinator, at 202/898-9356.
back to top
|