(Feb. 21, 2024—ROCHESTER, NY) Nursing home residents, care staff, legislators, and local leaders participated in a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Jewish Senior Life to shed light on the potential impact of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget that includes $500 million in cuts to nursing homes, freezes the Medicaid operating rate, cuts the capital rate by 10%, and includes an additional $400 million in unidentified cuts to nursing home rates.
Key speakers included New York State Senator Sean M. Ryan, and Assemblymembers Sarah Clark, Jen Lunsford, and Josh Jensen. Representatives from the offices of Assemblymembers Harry Bronson and Demond Meeks were also in attendance, as well as Glen Cooper, President and CEO of Friendly Senior Living, and Charlie Runyon, President and CEO of St. John’s.
Michael S. King, President and CEO at Jewish Senior Life, says, “We have joined forces because older adults living in New York State deserve more, and the Governor’s proposed budget fails to meet their needs. By working together with legislators to reject the proposed cuts and advocating for an increase, we can continue to provide access to care for our most vulnerable and ensure they receive the best possible care.”
Mary, a resident at the Jewish Home spoke to the crowd urging legislators vote against Hochul’s proposed budget which will devastate nursing homes across the state and affect access to the quality care residents need. Yolanda Myhand-McNeil, a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Jewish Home also spoke at the event, “Increasing Medicaid funding will ensure that older adults receive the quality care they deserve and have access to the essentials they need. Who will take care of these people if we don’t?”
About Jewish Senior Life:
Serving people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, Jewish Senior Life is Rochester’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Guided by the values of honoring family and aging in place, Jewish Senior Life offers all levels of care on a single campus—from independent living to skilled nursing care. Recognized for high quality and customer satisfaction, Jewish Senior Life has CARF International accreditation and has been certified as a Great Place to Work® since 2020. For more information, visit www.jewishseniorlife.org or https://www.facebook.com/jewishseniorlife.
About the Alliance for Senior Care IPA, LLC:
The Alliance for Senior Care is a consortium of five not-for-profit skilled nursing facilities in Greater Rochester that incudes Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, Friendly Senior Living, Jewish Senior Life, St. Ann’s Community and St. John’s. The Alliance was first formed in May 1997 to address industry issues, generate cost savings and share best practices.
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