How the state of California’s proposed 2011-2012 Medi-Cal payment reductions will impact and imperil the Jewish Home of San Francisco.
Let Governor Jerry Brown know how devastating these cuts would be to the most vulnerable and frail elderly in our community by sending the message at the end of this e-blast.
Dear Friend,
 The Jewish Home of San Francisco was founded 140 years ago. It now serves the second-largest number of distinct part nursing facility Medi-Cal residents in the state of California on any given day. To put this in facts and figures: the Jewish Home provides an unparalleled level of charity care to the community it serves, with 86 percent of its residents subsidized through the Medi-Cal program.
As you probably know, Governor of California Jerry Brown’s 2011–2012 proposed budget calls for a 10 percent decrease in Medi-Cal payments to certain provider groups. In fact, in the case of distinct part nursing facilities (DPNFs) like the Jewish Home, the real impact is much greater: this decrease in Medi-Cal payments ranges from 23 percent to 30 percent.
Such a severe drop in reimbursement will lead to more DPNF closures, escalating the trend we have seen in the past several years. Since 2007, at least 28 DPNFs have closed or announced their intention to close. It is important to note that DPNFs treat patients of greater complexity and higher medical acuity. As these types of facilities continue to close or reduce their bed-size, more patients must remain, at greater expense, in the acute hospital setting.
We recognize the state of California’s budget realities, and so endeavor to provide the greatest amount of medically necessary care at the lowest feasible cost to the state. We also pride ourselves on providing high quality, cost-effective care and services. These two points are highlighted by the fact that the Jewish Home:
- Provides care at a cost rate that is on average $54 a day less than other similar DPNFs in California. Stated differently, if the Home operated at the DPNF median cost level, it would be entitled to receive an approximate additional $7 million per year of funding from the state of California – and would be that much more of a financial burden on the state.
- Operates as a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services five star-rated nursing facility – even as it achieves millions of dollars in cost-savings to the state.
- Consistently enjoys outstanding annual health and life-safety survey results.
The board of trustees and staff of the Jewish Home – as well as related associations, lobbyists, and key politicians we plan to engage – recognize that these are unusual and very difficult economic times for the state of California. The Jewish Home, and the community it serves, respectfully believe that the Home is a model on how to provide medically necessary care in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. In order to continue to be a model in providing medically necessary care in the DPNF structure, the Jewish Home is prepared to go further, as it understands it has a responsibility to, yet again, partner and collaborate with and assist the state move over its financial hurdles.
We will therefore be requesting financial consideration from the state – specifically, to not reduce our rate significantly or disproportionately.
Whatever financial impact ultimately emanates from the final budget, the Jewish Home and its community will still need to address and/or identify other sources of funding in forecasted expenditure increases associated with:
- The Jewish Home’s recently ratified labor agreement with SEIU-UHW Local 250.
- Inflationary cost increases associated with drugs, medical supplies, food, paper products, utilities, etc.
- Capital equipment replacement and related physical plant costs necessary to keep our facility operating and in compliance with life-safety regulations.
I look forward to keeping you apprised of this critical issue. There is much at stake, and there are so many of us – you, our valued community, our staff, our residents and patients – who have a stake in the survival and longevity of the Jewish Home of San Francisco.
I urge you to copy and paste the message below and e-mail it to Governor Jerry Brown, letting him know how devastating a bottom-line reduction of 23 percent in Medi-Cal reimbursement to the Jewish Home would be for the community we serve – our most vulnerable and frail elders. Please feel free to send the message to your family, friends, and all your contacts, asking them to e-mail Governor Brown as well.
Thank you for your support.
Daniel Ruth
President & Chief Executive Officer
How to send this message to Governor Brown:
- Copy the message below addressed to Governor Brown
- Go to http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php
- Enter your name and e-mail address
- Choose BUDGET from the drop-down list as your subject
- Click submit
- Select Con as your position
- Paste the message you copied in space provided for message
- Add your name to message after Sincerely,
- Click Send Email
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Dear Governor Brown,
I am writing you today on behalf of the older adults in our community served by the Jewish Home of San Francisco. I am extremely concerned that your proposed 2011-2012 budget will imperil what is home to more than 400 residents. The Jewish Home is a haven for members of our community. The Home fulfills a vital role in our community by addressing the needs of these medically and cognitively frail and most vulnerable older adults.
The Jewish Home of San Francisco is the only option that uniquely and specifically responds to these individuals’ spiritual, cultural, and religious requirements. Residents of the Jewish Home are a community of survivors who have already sustained enough losses. For them to lose their home, their haven, is a tremendous threat to their physical and emotional well-being. I am greatly concerned.
I ask that you please seriously reconsider imposing this bottom-line 23 percent reduction in the Jewish Home’s Medi-Cal reimbursement.
I thank you for giving this critical matter your personal attention.
Sincerely,
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