I recognize that Gov. Rendell had to make difficult decisions while composing his proposed budget, but for three years the commonwealth has underfunded nursing homes nearly $290 million for the care of residents covered by the state Medical Assistance Program.
Statewide, two out of three nursing home residents is on medical assistance, yet Rendell is promoting a budget that shirks Pennsylvania's responsibility to these residents, who are among our most elderly and vulnerable citizens.
For every medical assistance resident in its care, a nursing home loses an average of $12 per day -- or $4,300 per year.
The governor's budget also hurts the dedicated caregivers who endure -- with compassion, patience and a smile -- the physical and emotional challenges that come with caring for elderly, sick nursing home residents. Chronic government underfunding makes it more and more difficult for nursing homes to offer competitive wages and benefits to these caregivers.
I speak on behalf of my staff when I say that we love the residents we care for. They are family to us. They are the men and women who fought in our wars, worked in our steel mills and built our communities. They are our parents and grandparents.
I invite Gov. Rendell to visit our nursing home and to see firsthand how his proposed budget will hurt our residents and our staff.
Patricia WiseHempfieldThe writer is administrator of Hempfield Manor nursing home.
