Care Facilities Fight Back

Groups that represent nursing homes and post-acute-care facilities are trying to defend member facilities against federal budget cuts.

The groups — the American Health Care Association, Washington, which represents long term care facilities, and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, Washington, which represents nursing homes and rehabilitation centers — have teamed with the Nevada Health Care Association (NVHCA), Henderson, Nev., to start a TV advertising campaign in the home state of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The first spot in the campaign features a rehabilitation nurse.

“I love what I do,” the nurse says. “In the last five years, nursing homes have absorbed billions in Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Even so, we’ve maintained high quality care. Now, there’s talk of more, deeper cuts. I understand the need for sacrifice. We’ve given our fair share, and more. But as a nurse who cares for her patients, I can tell you another round of deep cuts that target nursing homes simply goes too far.”