GILROY
– More than 50 employees and residents of Gilroy Healthcare and
Rehabilitation Center participated in a
”
crisis drill
”
Wednesday morning protesting underfunding in California nursing
homes and calling on state legislators to pass a bill to improve
nursing home care.
GILROY – More than 50 employees and residents of Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center participated in a “crisis drill” Wednesday morning protesting underfunding in California nursing homes and calling on state legislators to pass a bill to improve nursing home care.
“One, two, three, four, it’s nursing homes we’re fighting for. It’s only right, it’s only fair, standing up for senior care,” marchers shouted as they walked from the facility at 8170 Murray Ave. almost to the Leavesley Road intersection. Each resident had a certified nurse assistant (CNA) to help push the wheelchairs and help with the walk. Passing cars slowed down to read the signs and a few honked their horns in support.
The Nursing Home Quality Care bill, AB 1629, is proposed by nursing home owners, members of the Service Employees International Union and senior advocates. Its goal is to improve the funding system and hold homes accountable for quality care.
“It’s the largest piece of pending legislation in the history of Medi-Cal that will have a direct impact on the residents and staff in long term care,” said Gerald Hunter, executive director of the nursing home.
The protest was held at more than 100 facilities statewide, representing one third of all nursing home facilities in the state.
“This is a celebration because we will make changes,” Hunter shouted to those present before setting out on the march.
California is one of three states in the country that pays nursing homes a flat fee for care of each Medi-Cal resident. Those fighting for this bill argue that this system is flawed because it does not take individual residents, employees and facilities into account. The statewide average fee is $118 per day. Although nursing homes in Santa Clara County receive $131 per day, the Gilroy home needs about $15 to $20 more per Medi-Cal patient per day to provide adequate care, Hunter said.
“Even $15 per person can make a difference. It will mean better care for them and more CNAs so we can spend more time with them,” CNA Norma Sanchez said. She has been with the Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for 15 years.
“They deserve that. They’ve worked all their lives and they’re entitled. You and me can go out and get a job, but they can’t go anywhere,” she said.
In 2001 lawmakers passed AB 1075, promising to fix Medi-Cal’s rate system by Aug. 1 of this year. The Nursing Home Quality Care Act was proposed to fill the gaps in AB 1075. The new bill will hold facilities accountable for better quality care.
Increases in funding will be tied to increased staffing, direct resident services and better pay and benefits for caregivers. As part of the bill a “quality assurance fee” will be added to the state health care budget and will provide access to millions of matching federal Medicaid dollars. At least 23 other states have tapped into Medicaid this way. The goal is to pass the bill, which requires a two-thirds majority vote, by Aug. 31.
“I hope (the legislature) really listens,” Sanchez said. “It’s hard when you know a lot more can be done.”
