Caretakers at the Long Island State Veterans Home traveled with students and faculty of Stony Brook to voice their concerns at Albany Day on Tuesday about Governor Spitzer's proposed nursing home cuts.
The long-term cuts in the budget, combined with cuts from last year’s budget will result in more than $900 million in cuts. Beyond last year’s budget cuts of over $600 million to nursing home recruitment, retention and quality improvement funding, another $300 million cut has been proposed in this year’s executive budget.
On average, the 350-bed nursing facility already loses $20 a day per resident because of a documented shortfall in Medicaid payments. Angelika Hrynda, administrative services manager for the Long Island State Veteran’s Home said that she felt Stony Brook at Albany Day was a great chance for the veterans home to make its case in the state capital. She said the home had, “needs more focused than that of just the university.”
According to Jean Brand, program director for the Medical Adult Day Care program which provides outpatient services for veterans, the amount of funding the home gets affects the quality of life of veterans in the program and at the nursing home.
“We have to keep at the top of mind for all the legislators, that we are indebted to our veterans and their service,” said Fred Sganga, executive director of the home.
