5,000
On February 11, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority board approved a 6.75% cut in the current nursing home Medicaid rate. As a result of that action, nursing homes will
suffer a loss of $8.78 per patient day. In an effort to communicate to the legislature
the devastating effect this cut will have on the long term care profession, CARE
enacted an advocacy program called CapWiz. This program allows people to send
email letters to their state representatives and senators.
After the OHCA vote, CARE put the program to the test. In just 6 days health care
providers across the state of Oklahoma sent 5,000 letters to their legislators! This
was quite possibly the largest organized effort from our profession. And, it got the
legislators attention. Many facilities received personalized letters back from either
their representative or senator. Finally they understand the direct impact
Medicaid cuts have on the facilities, employees, and seniors in their districts. Because
of our efforts, new discussions of a reduced cut in Medicaid rates has developed.
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the cause. We could not have been so successful without your help. As we continue to fight for better rates and greater support from the legislature, I hope you will continue taking action and encourage others to do the same. Keep up the great work!
Read more in the February 2010 Newsletter Edition
