This is the first in a series examining how state budget cuts are affecting long-term care across America.

A $700 million cut to the Massachusetts state budget has many wondering how long-term care services will be affected.

“We’re still trying to figure this out,” said Justine Sulkowska, managing director of Bring Care Home in Topsfield, MA. “If we’re really in jeopardy, we’re questioning how offering services will still be doable.”

Sulkowska’s agency employs more than 100 workers and, like most in the industry, she finds it difficult to hire and retain enough staff to keep up with the demand. Another challenge is maintaining the level of supervision and training, which, she says, is key to providing quality care.

That’s why a $1 million cut (see line item) to the Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative (ECCLI), a state-funded program that was revamped and streamlined a year ago to improve training and retention of direct-care workers, and an 80 percent cut (see line item) to a 2009 scholarship fund for CNAs and Home Health Aides are especially disappointing.

Likely Effects

The scholarship program helped with expensive training costs, but was “pretty much killed” by the budget cuts, said Lisa Gurgone, executive director of the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aide Services. Some agencies will be able to absorb these costs. Others will have to cancel the training.

The state is also talking about reducing the amount of services that clients receive, including the length of patient visits for new home care clients, which could translate to less hours for workers, says Gurgone. This would aggravate a situation where it’s already hard to attract and retain workers.

“Since we will soon need more direct-care workers than we need teachers for K-12, the timing of these budget cuts is truly unfortunate,” said PHI’s Massachusetts State Director Amy Robins.

Looking to the Feds

Meanwhile, it looks like the federal government is getting closer to passing a stimulus package that could boost Medicaid funding. Last week, a letter from the National Governors Association appealed to congressional leaders to pass the stimulus package to “continue services for those with the greatest need.”

While the stimulus package won’t necessarily bolster services, said PHI’s National Policy Director Steve Edelstein, it may help prevent severe and damaging cuts.

Aaron Toleos, Online Communications Director
atoleos@phinational.org