March 6, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts:
Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, 202-508-1219

AAHSA Applauds Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) Draft Recommendations for Revising the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment System

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) today applauded MedPAC for its persistent work to improve the Medicare SNF payment system, rationalize payments and better target public dollars towards needed patient care.

The research presented at today 's MedPAC meeting shows that if the new payment system is adopted, Medicare payments would shift and – among other things – recognize the higher costs not-for-profit nursing homes face. Examples in the draft estimate that non profit skilled nursing facilities would on average have 7 percent higher payments.

“We appreciate MedPAC’s continued diligence in refining the nursing home Medicare payment system,” said Larry Minnix, AAHSA’s president and CEO. “We hope that Congress will give due attention to this thoughtful work on MedPAC’s part.”

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.