Magaziner Hosts Press Conference on Threats to RI Nursing Homes from Republican Budget

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) joined representatives of nursing home management and workers to discuss the devastating impact Republican-proposed cuts to Medicaid will have on nursing homes, and the thousands of Rhode Islanders they serve.

John Gage, President of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, highlighted how Medicaid cuts threaten the financial viability of nursing homes and healthcare facilities statewide. Jesse Martin, Executive President of SEIU 1199 NE, emphasized the devastating impact these cuts would have on both workers and patients.

The press conference follows House passage of a Republican budget resolution that slashes at least $880 billion from programs overseen by the Energy & Commerce Committee, which primarily include Medicaid and Medicare. These cuts could force nursing homes to close and thousands of Rhode Islanders to lose access to care. 65 percent of nursing home residents in the state rely on Medicaid as their primary health coverage.

“Earlier this week, Republicans in Congress passed a budget plan that will literally put nursing homes in Rhode Island and all across the country out of business, and put their residents out on the streets,” said Magaziner during his remarks. “Nursing homes rely on Medicaid for most of their revenue. The budget plan that was advanced in Congress this week would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and would cause many nursing homes across this country to have to shut down.”

“One of Medicaid’s core functions is to protect our nation’s most vulnerable,” said John Gage during his remarks. “It is a critical safety net for America’s seniors to make sure they can access the long-term care services that they need. It’s no secret that Medicaid is already underfunded, so any further cuts would be devastating.”

“We rely on a system of health care from hospitals, to nursing homes, to primary care,” said Jesse Martin during his remarks. “These cuts could put in danger all of those elements of our health care institutions and undermine workers’ wages, retirement, health care, and destabilize our economy.”

View or download full video remarks from the speakers during today’s press conference here.

View or download photos from today’s press conference here.