(Madison, WI) LeadingAge Wisconsin thanks members of the state’s biennial budget-writing committee for providing significant investments in support of long-term care (LTC) programming and services across the state.
“The Joint Committee on Finance’s investments last night set a much-needed payment standard for skilled nursing facilities”, said Stephanie Chedid, LeadingAge Wisconsin Board Member and President/CEO of Luther Manor in Wauwatosa. “Over time, these budget motions will pull providers out of their regular worries of keeping their doors open and staff on the schedule.”
Additional investments, such as funding for a complex patient pilot program will help innovative facilities successfully transition patients in some of the most challenging situations back into their communities. “Luther Manor has been a pioneer in this space, and I am thrilled at the potential for other providers in Wisconsin to help even more patients,” said Chedid.
In addition to the investments in skilled nursing, the committee continued critical home and community-based services rate increases, and increased funding for the Direct Care Workforce Fund, which allows assisted living and home care providers to give raises or bonuses to caregivers.
“We need our long-term care waiver programs to put individuals and their caregivers at the center,” said Rene Eastman, VP of Financial & Regulatory Services for LeadingAge Wisconsin. “With their budget actions, the committee demonstrated they’ve heard our members’ stories and are our partners in serving Wisconsin communities.”
“We want to thank the JCF members for their diligent work in putting together a budget that addresses the incredible challenges facing long-term care providers in Wisconsin, said Jim Orheim, President/CEO. “They heard the voices of our members and elevated these priorities that directly impact our state’s aging population and the incredible people who provide them with the care they need every day.”
