Wisconsin LTC groups call for increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates
Local long-term care officials have joined a statewide call to raiseMedical Assistance reimbursement rates for nursing homes and other careservices by 5 percent in the next state budget. Membersof the Coulee Region Long-Term Care Workforce Coalition in La Crossemet Friday in La Crosse with state Rep. Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, topush for the increase for personal care, home health and othercommunity services. Huebsch, the Assemblyâs majority leader,said he is aware of the problems with long-term care and would have tolook at the proposalâs financial ramifications. Two priorities for thebiennial budget, he said, will be public education and taking care ofpeople who canât provide for themselves. “We’re nearing a crisisagain in long-term care, and we need a comprehensive look at theproblem and plan for the future, because baby boomers will increase theneed for this care,” Huebsch said. Membersof the workforce coalition are concerned about the quality andconsistency of care when personal and home-care aides make low wages. Theysaid some workers have trouble paying bills and wind up leaving forhigher-paying jobs. That can make home care inconsistent becausevacancies are hard to fill. The average salary is $8 to $9 anhour for staff at Independent Living Resources, which provides personaland home care services in the La Crosse area, said Kathy Noble-Iverson,the agencyâs executive director. Staff have not received a raise since2002, when Medical Assistance rates last were increased, she said.