A Critical Call to Address the Medicaid Crisis
By Michael E. McRae
President & CEO, St. Ann’s Community
December 8, 2023
Think back to a time when eggs, oil changes, and hotel stays were affordable. Today, rising expenses strain family budgets, placing St. Ann’s in the crossroads of ensuring the well-being of our Elders and supporting dedicated employees due to a Medicaid deficit.
This issue extends beyond St. Ann’s, resonating throughout the healthcare industry and our community. Medicaid underfunding leads to a scarcity of healthcare staff in nursing homes, resulting in vacant beds and diminished care capacity. The strain on hospital resources leads to prolonged patient wait times, while financial hurdles force many nursing homes to shut down, limiting seniors’ access to quality care.
Consider the more than 100 military veterans residing in St. Ann’s Community—the architects of our infrastructure, the educators shaping generations, and the professionals who built the foundation of our society. We owe a debt of gratitude to these seniors who have given so much to us.
The time for New York State intervention was yesterday, but our daily advocacy for proper funding is vital. I delve deeper into this critical issue in the video below.
I implore you to reach out to your government leaders and stand with us in ensuring a future where the well-deserved quality care for our seniors is never compromised! Resources are available HERE.