March 12, 2025
Nearly everyone in America has someone they care about who has needed the services and care provided in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, or assisted living facility. The impact that decreased Medicaid funding can have on the quality of care provided to frail older adults residing in post-acute care facilities is clear. The Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) strongly opposes potential cuts to Medicaid and public health funding. As the only medical association representing medical directors, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other clinicians in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings—including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, home care, hospice, and PACE programs—PALTmed serves those at the highest risk and cost in Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicaid is the primary payer for nursing home care, covering nearly two-thirds of all residents and providing a critical lifeline for seniors in PALTC. Cuts to Medicaid would reduce access to essential health-care services, worsen workforce shortages, and force facility closures—displacing vulnerable patients and driving up healthcare costs.
A strong public health infrastructure is essential for protecting our aging population. From disease tracking to research and program support, sustained public health funding is necessary to ensure Medicaid continues providing these vital services.
PALTC professionals have seen firsthand the devastating effects of underfunding, particularly during COVID-19. Rather than cutting Medicaid, policymakers must invest in health-care infrastructure—supporting PALTC clinicians, expanding telemedicine, and ensuring medical directors in nursing facilities have the training and resources needed for high-quality care. These investments are not just a moral imperative but a cost-effective strategy to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and maintain dignity and quality of life.
Medicaid cuts would also harm the dedicated professionals working in PALTC—caregivers who provide daily support for individuals with dementia, multiple comorbidities, and those at the end of life. Policies that devalue nursing homes and their staff have already led to workforce shortages. Without a dedicated strategy for recruiting, training, and fairly compensating these professionals, the sector will continue to struggle.
Medicaid is the primary source of support for individuals living with serious disabilities. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, this population is expected to increase significantly over the next decade. Without proper services, these individuals—our neighbors, family members, and possibly ourselves—will face serious consequences.
We urge Congress and the administration to reject Medicaid cuts that would affect America’s seniors and instead implement sustainable, evidence-based reforms that strengthen care for our nation’s most vulnerable. PALTmed stands ready to collaborate on innovative solutions that ensure high-quality, compassionate, and equitable health care for all.
