Contact:
Jim Morrell, 202-457-1110

THE ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY NURSING HOME CARE REACTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED NURSING HOME PAYMENT RULE

WASHINGTON, DC –-- Stephen Guillard, Chairman of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, released the following statement today, in reaction to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed rule governing nursing home payment rates:

"We will spend the coming days closely reviewing the proposed rule, but at first glance it appears to be a framework that we can work within. However, we also need to make sure that there aren't any hidden reductions that aren't immediately apparent. Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the Administration and we appreciate their willingness to listen to our concerns. We also appreciate the many Members of Congress who have fought hard to ensure that nursing homes continue to get the funding they need. We will continue to work with the Administration and Congress in the months ahead to ensure that nursing homes receive fair funding and that seniors will continue to have access to the high quality care they deserve."

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The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care is a coalition of 15 national skilled nursing providers who deliver care to hundreds of thousands of patients on a daily basis.