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GHCA Commends Speaker Ralston, House Leadership on Inclusion of $19.3M in Funding for Nursing Centers in Proposed Amended FY2021 Budget
For Immediate Release
Jan. 28, 2021
Contact
Devon Barill, Director of Communications
dbarill@ghca.info
(678) 783-1703
Jan. 28, 2021
Contact
Devon Barill, Director of Communications
dbarill@ghca.info
(678) 783-1703
Stockbridge, GA - Tony Marshall, President & CEO of the Georgia Health Care Association (GHCA), today praised passage of the House version of the proposed Amended FY 2021 State Budget (HB 80) which includes a 5% increase to the Medicaid rate growth allowance for skilled nursing centers retroactive to July 1, 2020, for a total of $19.3M in state funds.
“The GHCA Board and membership would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Georgia House of Representatives, led by House Speaker David Ralston, House Appropriations Chair Terry England, and House Health Appropriations Chair Butch Parrish, for the inclusion of much-needed funding for Georgia's skilled nursing centers in its version of the proposed Amended FY 2021 State Budget,” Marshall said.
“Long term care communities have battled the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly a year and continue to experience acute financial hardships due to a dramatic decline in occupancy and elective procedures, coupled with increased costs associated with caring for those most vulnerable to the virus. As our elderly population will continue to grow in the years ahead, this financial assistance is critical to ensuring long term care communities have the resources necessary to meet the care needs of those they serve now and in the future.
“We thank Speaker Ralston, Chairman England, and Chairman Parrish for their ongoing partnership and dedication to the health and safety of elderly Georgians. We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure the Amended FY 2021 Budget includes funding for long term care in its final passage. Additionally, while this is an important step in ensuring the financial stability of long term care communities in Georgia, we remain committed to working with the Governor's Office and the legislature as we continue our dialogue regarding the FY 2022 State Budget and the development of meaningful solutions to the challenges facing long term care.”
About GHCA
The Georgia Health Care Association is a non-profit association of skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, and home and community based case managers called SOURCE. Advocates for Georgia's elderly since 1953, the Association represents the best interests of patients, residents and consumers as well as owners, administrators, and other personnel. GHCA strives to enhance the ability of its members to provide competent and compassionate care to meet the ever-changing health care needs of elderly Georgians. For more information, visit www.ghca.info.