WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Wall Street Journal recently cited the work Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) and other Members of Congress, including several from Texas, did to urge the Bush Administration to stop a proposed rule that would have resulted in deep cuts to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Late last week, the Administration announced they would not move forward with their proposed Medicare cuts.
“I was proud to join the effort to stop these cuts,” said Granger. “Now is not the time to cut funding for nursing home care. For me, stopping this new regulation was an easy choice and I am glad the Administration listened to us and decided not to move forward with their plan.”
If the rule had been approved, nursing home care for millions of seniors would have been threatened. The rule would have cut $770 million in Medicare funding for skilled nursing facility care in 2009 and more than $4 billion over the next five years. Texas seniors would have faced cuts of more than $45 million next year.
“For families in Wise County, this positive news means they can rest a little easier at night knowing the high quality of care they were promised for their parents will continue to be available,” said Granger.
The Texas Health Care Association (THCA) praised Granger and the other Texas lawmakers for signing the letter sent last week to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt. The other Texas lawmakers included Reps. Louie Gohmert and Eddie Bernice Johnson.
“Thankfully, with the help of these three key Texas House Members, the damaging federal Medicare regulation was derailed,” said Tim Graves, President of THCA.