As Louisiana officials announce that they will send 37,000 seniors nursing home eviction notices due to state Republicans’ Medicaid funding cuts, Protect Our Care Campaign Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:
“The nursing home crisis in Louisiana is a stark example of how Medicaid cuts threaten critical supports for American seniors. States’ Medicaid programs are facing an onslaught of attacks and funding cuts from Republican politicians at both the federal and state level. Meanwhile, six in 10 nursing home residents in America need Medicaid funding to keep their beds, and the program also supports over 50% of seniors’ in-home long-term care. Republican attacks on Medicaid directly threaten seniors, and as they continue to escalate, we will continue to see crises like the shameful situation today in Louisiana.”
Why Medicaid Cuts Threaten Seniors
- More than 6.9 million American seniors have Medicaid coverage. 6,920,200 seniors, age 65 and older, are enrolled in Medicaid.
- Medicaid covers 6 in 10 nursing home residents. The average annual cost of nursing home care is $82,000 — nearly three times most seniors’ annual income.
- Medicaid funds 53 percent of long-term care nationwide. As seniors age, long-term care services become more and more vital, serving half of seniors over age 75 and three in four seniors over age 85.
- More than one in five Medicare enrollees also have Medicaid coverage. Most dual-eligibles are over age 65, and are more likely to have complex and chronic health needs.
FACT SHEET: How Medicaid Works for Seniors & Older Adults