Jan. 11, 2006
Contact: Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, (202) 508-1219

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from Larry Minnix, AAHSA President and CEO about the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) recommendation against providing an inflation adjustment in Medicare funding for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care in 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – We are disappointed that MedPAC recommended no inflation adjustment for SNFs in 2007, especially since the Commission reported last month that profit margins at non-profit SNFs are nearly zero.


MedPAC's mission does not allow it to analyze Medicaid payment rates. This recommendation only amplifies the need for our country to take a comprehensive look at how to overhaul long-term care financing to meet the needs of our aging population.

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.