Survey: Voters want nursing homes off the ‘cliff’

In a survey of registered voters released this week by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), respondents do not support any fiscal cliff arrangement that proposes budget cuts to nursing homes. Not only did most respondents (46 percent) oppose budget cuts, they believe additional funding—not cuts—should be provided to care for the aging boomer generation.

The survey also indicated that 84 percent of respondents agreed that nursing homes are facing a crisis with reduced funding already.

If, however, cuts to Medicare and raising the retirement age to 70 become part of the cliff package, the survey indicated that 65 percent of respondents would be less likely to vote for a congressperson whovoted to cut billions in Medicare payments to nursing homes. The voters’ party affiliation had little to do with the response to this question. Those less likely to vote for a member of Congress supporting the cuts were Democrats (71 percent), Independents (63 percent) and Republicans (62 percent).

In a release, Mark Parkinson,  AHCA president/CEO, said, “When it comes to skilled nursing centers and the care millions of Americans receive every year, the people have spoken—fiscal cliff negotiations should not include cuts to seniors.”

The poll was conducted by Opinion Access between  Nov. 16–Nov. 19.  Read the full survey.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.