HHS Announces Health Center Planning Grant Opportunity

/PRNewswire/ -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced up to $10 million in funding for a Health Center Planning Grant (HCPG) opportunity for organizations across the country that would like to become a Community Health Center. The HCPG opportunity is intended to support organizations in the future development of a health center and will support approximately 125 HCPGs in FY 2011.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers the Health Center Program. Health centers improve the health of the Nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations. They assure access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services at more than 7,900 service delivery sites around the country to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income.

"This funding opportunity in the Affordable Care Act will help nurture organizations that answer the noble call to assist those who are medically underserved, underinsured and uninsured," said Secretary Sebelius.

"The HCPG grants help organizations qualify to become CHCs, which increases HRSA's ability to serve more people," said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield , Ph.D., R.N. "From oral health, behavioral health, to maternal wellness and serving those in rural communities, community health centers increase access for those in need of high quality preventive and primary health care."

Eligible entities for the FY 2011 HCPG include public or nonprofit private entities, including tribal, faith-based and community-based organizations that currently do not receive the following section 330 funding awards:

* Planning Grants
* Community Health Centers
* Migrant Health Centers
* Health Care for the Homeless
* Public Housing Primary Care Programs
* Primary Care Associations


For more information about eligibility, guidance and application submission for the HCPG, visit www.grants.gov. For more information on HRSA's community health center program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/. For more information about Affordable Care Act investments in community health centers, visit www.HealthCare.gov.

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HHS announces $30 million in new resources to support the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today(September 24) announced that CDC has allocated $30 million of the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund to expand HIV prevention efforts under the President's National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). This includes $21.6 million in grants to state and local health departments. The funding will help to further focus HIV prevention on high risk populations and communities, as well as fill critical gaps in data, knowledge and understanding of the epidemic.

"This funding will give a critical boost to our HIV/AIDS prevention efforts across the country," said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "By focusing on communities and geographic areas that have been hardest hit by this disease, these critical investments will make a real impact on prevention efforts - a key part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy."

"The National HIV/AIDS Strategy gives us an opportunity to redefine our nation's approach to HIV prevention, and can help us take our collective efforts to the next level," said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. "We are pleased that this funding will allow those of us working in HIV prevention at the federal, state, and local level to support innovative, evidence-based and high-impact prevention efforts in line with recommendations from the strategy."

Grants totaling $11.6 million will support demonstration projects to identify and implement a "combination approach" to enhance effective HIV prevention programming in 12 hard-hit areas across the country. These efforts will both supplement existing programs in these communities and help jurisdictions to better focus efforts on key at-risk populations and fulfill unmet needs.

Under this program, each funded jurisdiction will work with CDC to determine what mix of HIV prevention approaches can have the greatest impact in the local area - at the individual, population, and community level - based on the local profile of the epidemic and by assessing and identifying current gaps in HIV prevention portfolios. While the exact combination of approaches will vary by area, efforts funded under this program will follow a basic approach of: intensifying prevention for individuals at greatest risk, along with testing those individuals to reduce undiagnosed HIV infection; prioritizing prevention and linkage to care for people living with HIV; and directing these intensified efforts to communities with the highest burden of HIV.

The twelve jurisdictions funded in the first year for these efforts include Chicago, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Houston, Los Angeles, Maryland, New York City, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, and Texas. The average award is approximately $960,000

Additional funding will allow CDC to expand upon successful existing efforts, as well as fill knowledge gaps to help guide evidence-based policies and approaches as a part of NHAS. Awards to state and local health departments include:

* Increasing HIV testing: $4.4 million from the Affordable Care Act will allow CDC to further expand its successful HIV testing initiative. The initiative began in 2007 to increase knowledge of HIV status primarily among African Americans, and was recently expanded to reach more hard-hit communities and populations at risk, including Latinos, men who have sex with men (MSM), and injection drug users. In the first two years of the program alone, more than 1.4 million Americans were tested, and more than 10,000 individuals were newly diagnosed.

* Filling critical data gaps: $5.6 million from the Affordable Care Act will enhance local area data collection, to provide critical information to better monitor and target future HIV prevention and treatment programs. Specifically, the new funds allow areas to monitor disease indicators among HIV-infected populations to better understand access to care, prevention, and treatment services.

The remainder of the funding is going to support additional activities for HIV prevention:

* Supporting evaluation for new activities: $6.6 million from the Affordable Care Act will support evaluation and monitoring of combination prevention approaches and other activities. Funding will also establish a web-based survey to quickly identify and respond to trends in risk behavior and exposure to HIV prevention services among men who have sex with men (MSM.)

* Prioritizing underserved populations: $1 million from the Affordable Care Act will support work with tribal communities to improve HIV prevention and program integration for American Indians/Alaska Natives.

While the exact eligibility criteria differed for each of the awards, the majority of the funding is directed toward geographic areas hard hit by the epidemic.

"While this funding represents an exciting new investment in HIV prevention, these efforts are just one important part of what is needed to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and address the devastating impact that the epidemic has on many communities in the United States," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. "Success will require a shared commitment and responsibility across the board, from CDC and other parts of the federal government and beyond. With far too many new infections occurring here each year - one new infection every nine and a half minutes - we must work together to ensure that the urgent HIV prevention needs in this country are met."

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Secretary Sebelius Releases $7.6 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Support Health Professionals Serving in High Need Areas

The grant awarded to Georgia under this announcement was to State Medical Education Board of Georgia.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday announced 63 awards totaling more than $7.6 million to help states recruit new health care clinicians and alleviate their debt burden. The funds are part of the $500 million appropriated to HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to address workforce shortages and encourage diversity in the health professions.

“These funds will help place full-time primary care health professionals in shortage areas and help hundreds of thousands of Americans get primary care they might not otherwise receive,” said Secretary Sebelius.

Eighteen grantees will receive $5.8 million under the State Loan Repayment Program, which provides grants to states to fund loan repayment programs designed to increase the availability of primary health service providers in health professional shortage areas in the state. Health professionals receiving these funds incur a minimum two-year service obligation, but in some cases elect to serve longer. In return for their service in shortage areas, the state repays their qualifying loans. States must provide a dollar-for-dollar match in funding.

In addition, 45 grantees will receive $1.8 million under the State Primary Care Office program to help recruit new National Health Service Corps (NHSC) clinicians. On June 5, Secretary Sebelius announced the availability of $200 million in ARRA workforce funds, of a total $300 million, to expand HRSA’s National Health Service Corps, which provides scholarships and loan repayment for primary care providers who serve in health professional shortage areas. The funds will repay the qualifying student loans of primary care medical dental and mental health clinicians who wish to practice, for a minimum of two years, in NHSC sites that treat underserved and uninsured people.

“Recruiting and training health professionals to serve in shortage areas is critical as we work to provide quality health care to more and more people in need,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.

Yesterday’s awards follow a Sept. 11 announcement by Secretary Sebelius of $33 million in Recovery Act funds to train a variety of health professionals. Also, on Aug. 12, HHS Deputy Secretary Bill Corr announced awards of $13.4 million in Recovery Act funds for loan repayments to nurses who agree to practice in facilities with critical shortages and for schools of nursing to provide loans to students who will become nurse faculty.

HRSA also received $2 billion through the ARRA to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program. To date, more than $1.4 billion of these funds have been awarded to community-based organizations across the country. HRSA-supported health centers treated 17 million patients in 2008, 40 percent of whom have no health insurance.

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$120 Million for States Made Available as Part of Recovery Act Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the release of $120 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for prevention and wellness programs for U.S. states and territories, building on the recent announcement of the $373 million funding opportunity for communities and tribes around the country. In all, the comprehensive Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative will make $650 million available for public health efforts to address obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking.

"Today's announcement is an important step toward a healthier America," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "We know that many chronic diseases are preventable, and the resources now available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will assist states and
territories in the implementation of proven prevention and wellness programs that will save lives and lower health care costs for all Americans."

The $120 million in cooperative agreements will be awarded to states and territories for three components: statewide policy and environmental change, tobacco cessation through quitlines and media campaigns, and special initiatives to create health-promoting policies and environments. For the first two components, dollar amounts awarded to each state and territory will be based on population size and number of smokers. For the third component, states will apply for special funds through a competitive process based on the potential health impact of
the proposed activities. States and territories will have two years to complete their work. They will coordinate their efforts with other Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiatives in large cities, urban areas, small cities, rural areas, and tribal areas.

"State health departments are the backbone of the public health system and are uniquely positioned to support and leverage local efforts for chronic disease prevention and control," said Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"We expect that as a result of this nationwide project, most Americans will live in states with improved obesity-related and tobacco policies, we will make a national shift toward healthy environments, and we will increase significantly the number of people who are able to stop
smoking."

Funded projects will emphasize state-level policy and environmental changes that will help communities and schools support healthy choices. For example, states will make use of their collective purchasing power to improve the selection and availability of healthy foods in public
venues.

"Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death in the country, account for spiraling health care costs, and cause disability and suffering for millions of Americans," said Janet Collins, Ph.D., director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. "The good news is that we can greatly reduce the toll of chronic disease by reducing just four risk factors -- tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and obesity. With these new funds, states and territories will work to improve the environments where their residents live, work, learn, and play so that healthy choices become the easy choice."

States and territories interested in applying for cooperative agreements can find more information at www.grants.gov. The application deadline is Nov. 24, 2009. Deadlines for additional projects that are part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative will be announced soon.

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HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Cornerstone Funding of the $650 Million Recovery Act Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative

Creating ways for healthful lifestyle habits to be the natural first choice for Americans is the goal of a $650 million initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to increase physical
activity, improve nutrition, decrease obesity, and decrease smoking in U.S. communities.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for communities and tribes to apply for $373 million in cooperative agreements for the comprehensive public health initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, to be led by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).

"This initiative will make disease prevention and health promotion top priorities in states and communities across the country," Secretary Sebelius said. "Preventing disease is vital as a strategy to improve our nation's health and reduce health care costs."

Communities Putting Prevention to Work will change systems and environments-for example, improving access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity-and putting into place policies, such as clean-indoor-air laws, that will promote the health of populations. Funded entities will have two years to complete their work.

The $373 million in cooperative agreements will be awarded to communities through a competitive selection process. The cooperative agreements will support evidence-based prevention strategies for youth and adults and will promote partnerships across communities and sectors.

The remainder of the funds for this initiative will be made available in the coming weeks to states, territories, and organizations to support, extend and evaluate the reach and impact of the community projects.

Funded projects will emphasize high-impact, broad-reaching policy, environmental, and systems changes in schools (K-12) and communities. For example, communities will work to make high-fat snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages less available in schools and other community sites and to use media to promote healthy choices. In addition, funded communities will be encouraged to provide quality physical education in the nation's schools and enact comprehensive smoking bans.

"The CDC is excited to have this opportunity to help states and communities do more to deliver proven prevention strategies, in ways that reach whole communities and populations," said CDC Director, Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Chronic diseases linked to obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use are the leading causes of death and disability in our nation. These additional resources will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans."

Communities interested in applying for Communities Putting Prevention to Work grants can find more information at www.grants.gov. The application deadline for the community projects is Dec. 1, 2009. Deadlines for state, territory, and other prevention projects that are part of the
Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative will be announced soon.

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As August Congressional Recess Concludes, Polls Show Seniors, General Public Strongly Opposed to Medicare Cuts in Congressional Health Reform Plan

As August Congressional Recess Concludes, Polls Show Seniors, General Public Strongly Opposed to Medicare Cuts in Congressional Health Reform Plan, Says AHCA

/PRNewswire/ -- As Congress prepares to reconvene next week following an August recess replete with wide-ranging local discussion of how to fund health care reform, new polling finds both seniors and the public at large are strongly opposed to slashing Medicare-funded nursing home care to pay for the plan. Meanwhile, at events in Florida and Pennsylvania - states with large concentrations of Medicare beneficiaries - seniors and caregivers are urging their respective state congressional delegations to help preserve, protect and defend quality nursing home care as the legislative debate resumes Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

According to a new national poll (1000 RVs, 8/21-24, +/- 3%) and analysis from the Mellman Group (D), "78% of voters nationwide predict that if Congress cuts $32 billion in Medicare payments to nursing homes, the quality of care delivered to seniors will decline. Seniors are equally concerned, as 78% of those over 65 believe nursing home care will get worse because of such cuts, and a majority believes care will get 'much worse' (58%). Those approaching retirement age (55-64) express even more concern. 83% believe care will worsen." The Mellman Group data also finds a full 66% of voters are less likely to support their local member of Congress for re-election if he or she votes for cuts to Medicare-financed nursing home care. The poll analysis is available in its entirety at www.ahca.org.

Additionally, A new CNN poll (1010 Adults, 8/28-31, +/- 3%) released 9/2) finds that by a 43% to 26% margin, Americans believe senior citizens will be "worse off," not "better off," from the health care reform proposals now being advanced. 30% said "about the same"; 1% expressed no opinion.

The 9/2 Florida Times Union, in a story entitled, "Proposed Medicare Cuts Have Nursing Homes Worried," reports on a Jacksonville-area event in which seniors' advocates and nursing home staff warned Florida's Medicare funded nursing home care benefits will be cut $3.5 billion over ten years to finance health care reform. Lisa Cantrell, President of the National Association of Health Care Assistants, spoke at the Southlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mandarin, FL. "To Cantrell's side, propped against a wall, was a large, scroll-like petition urging Florida's congressional delegation to rethink the cuts. . . Patricia Johnson, 68, signed the petition with her left hand, as her dominant right hand remains paralyzed from a recent stroke. 'If they have to cut staff here,' her husband, Artie, said, 'it would be down to what I would call the bare minimum.' He added his name, too."

The 9/4 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, in a story entitled, "Residents Petition Against Any Medicare Cuts," reports that "Caregivers, residents and family members gathered at the Riverstreet Manor Nursing Home Thursday to sign a petition to members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation asking that any health care reform bill does not include crippling cuts in Medicare funding." The story notes "Representatives of The Coalition to Protect Senior Care are touring the country's nursing homes asking them to urge their respective members of Congress not to support the currently proposed health care reform measure as long as it includes Medicare funding cuts for seniors in nursing homes by more than $32 billion over 10 years. In Pennsylvania, which would be the seventh hardest hit state, the cuts would total $2.1 billion. In the 11th Congressional District alone, where Riverstreet Manor is, the loss over the next decade would be about $142 million."

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Cancer Community Alarmed at CMS Policy Lumping Life-Saving Cancer Therapy With Diagnostic Testing For Major Funding Cuts

/PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by US Oncology:

Concerned members of the cancer community, including physicians, patient organizations and other care advocates, spoke out today in opposition to a proposed federal policy under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would lump life-saving radiation therapy in with diagnostic testing services in receiving major Medicare funding cuts. In support of their cause, a bipartisan letter led by Reps. Parker Griffith (D-AL), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Lois Capps (D-CA) and Mike Rogers (R-MI), was sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging a reversal of this proposal.

"I am very alarmed at the prospect of these dangerous funding cuts being made to radiation therapy, which is a safe and effective treatment proven as a trusted tool in the fight against cancer," said Bernard W. Taylor, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology-Longview Cancer Center in Longview, Texas. "For vulnerable cancer patients like mine, this proposed policy would limit their access to vital radiation treatment through longer wait times and less time spent with their doctors. We must educate policymakers on the radical difference between life-saving, therapeutic radiation therapy and diagnostic testing, and the critical need to spare radiation therapy from these cuts."

At issue is a 19 percent funding cut in Medicare reimbursement to the radiation oncology specialty contained within the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, equating to cuts of up to 44 percent for certain codes critical to the provision of radiation therapy treatments. Of particular concern in the rule is a proposed policy that raises the utilization rate for medical equipment costing over one million dollars from 50 to 90 percent. The lawmakers and other experts in the industry warn that cuts of this size will result in the closing of many freestanding and community-based cancer centers, particularly in rural areas, harming patient access to care.

"As a radiation oncologist who practiced in the community setting, I am aware of how these severe cuts would limit access to life-saving radiation therapy for cancer patients," said Rep. Griffith. "I am proud to be working on healthcare reform to expand access to high quality, effective care for cancer patients and all Americans, and I look forward to working with both parties as well as the administration to find a solution that averts these cuts and protects patient access to care."

The Congressional letter submitted to Secretary Sebelius, signed by more than 60 Members of Congress, asked CMS to refrain from finalizing the proposed reductions in Medicare payment for radiation oncology services, and to refrain from applying a higher assumed equipment utilization rate to radiation oncology equipment. The letter states:

"We are writing you today to emphasize a clear distinction: Radiation therapy is not diagnostic imaging. . . The therapeutic use of radiation to treat cancer should not be the target of those concerned with volume growth in the area of diagnostic imaging."

The proposal to reduce rates for diagnostic imaging was made by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) in their March 2009 report. MedPAC has subsequently stated that it never intended to include radiation therapy in any Medicare reimbursement cuts and yet CMS proposed to extend the cuts to radiation oncology anyway.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), radiation therapy has been found to be under-utilized, with a variety of barriers, including travel time to care, cited as standing between patients and treatment. Following a review of relevant literature, the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) found evidence of disparities in radiation therapy use among older patients; women; and African Americans, with the exception of care provided in the Veterans' Administration system. In another study of more than 11,000 women in Florida who had undergone breast conserving surgery, the odds of receiving post-surgical radiation therapy decreased by 3 percent for every 5-mile increase in the distance to the nearest radiation therapy facility.

"We support using data to ensure that payment rates for medical procedure are appropriate," said Leonard Kalman, M.D., Chairman of US Oncology's Public Policy Steering Committee. "However, making cuts of this size to radiation therapy - a treatment modality that more than 1 million cancer patients rely upon each year for both curative intent and palliative treatment - without an expressed rationale backed by supporting data is unsound and frankly quite frightening. On behalf of our country's cancer patients, many of whom will rely on radiation therapy at some point in their illness, we must ensure that these cuts are not applied."

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CDC to Distribute $40 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Help States Fight Healthcare-Associated Infections

Money marks first time Congress appropriates HAI prevention funds specifically to states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today announced plans to distribute $40 million to state health departments to help prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the money will be distributed through cooperative agreements to 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to maximize prevention efforts such as:

* Creating or expanding state and local efforts to implement recommendations in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HAI Action Plan

* Increasing health care facilities' and health departments' use of CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network, a surveillance system that allows HAI data to be tracked, analyzed and compared for prevention efforts

* Hiring and training public health staff to promote and lead HAI prevention initiatives

* Complementing HAI investments from other HHS agencies

"Americans expect to get better when they go to the hospital, not worse" said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Unfortunately, every year, thousands of Americans die from illness they contract after they enter the hospital. Thanks to Chairman David Obey's leadership, the Recovery Act includes critical resources that will help fight these infections and keep patients safe."

Efforts will focus on HHS priority targets such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and will address pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff). The investment represents the first time Congress has appropriated HAI prevention funds specifically to states.

"We expect these programs to strengthen tracking and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, enhance facility accountability, provide data for informed policy, and ultimately save lives," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Funding critical prevention efforts at state and local levels represents a significant investment toward elimination of HAIs and improved patient safety."

CDC estimates that every year, Americans contract 1.7 million infections while being treated in hospitals. These infections are associated with approximately 99,000 deaths annually. In addition to the significant toll on patients' lives, HAIs represent an estimated $30 billion in added healthcare costs.

HHS has addressed HAIs by coordinating efforts across the Department and creating the HHS action plan which includes five-year national prevention targets to reduce and prevent much of the significant burden to our nation. One of the goals of the HHS Action Plan is to collaborate effectively with public and private sector partners to accomplish the large-scale prevention of HAIs.

For instance, CDC is collaborating with several states that have demonstrated that implementing CDC's HAI prevention guidelines and using NHSN to monitor progress can achieve major decreases in HAIs.

Prevention success can be characterized in a number of ways. Some states have shown quick reductions after implementing prevention efforts, and others have sustained low infection rates over an extended period of time. For example, in the first six months of 2009, compared to 2008, hospitals in Tennessee achieved a 30 percent reduction of bloodstream infections associated with central lines (a catheter, or tube, that is inserted into a major vein or artery, and that ends up close to or in the heart). In another instance, intensive care units in a New York state hospital group achieved a 70 percent reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infections and sustained these rates for a three-year period.

"Many states and localities have lacked the resources and personnel needed to appropriately address the HAI burden," said Marion Kainer, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Tennessee Department of Health Hospital Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, and HAI prevention lead for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. "This investment will provide a unique opportunity to make prevention of HAIs a national accomplishment."

Background on HAI Investments in the Recovery Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009. Within the Recovery Act, $50 million was appropriated to support states in the prevention and reduction of healthcare associated infections (HAI). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will use $10 million to improvethe process and frequency of inspections for ambulatory surgical centers, while CDC will allocate $40 million to states to create or expand state-based HAI prevention collaboration efforts, enhance state abilities to monitor and track HAIs, and build within health departments a workforce trained in HAI prevention. For more information on the Recovery Act: www.recovery.gov. For more information about CDC's HAI Recovery Act funding: www.cdc.gov/hai/recoveryact.
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New National Poll Finds Americans Strongly Opposed to Cutting Medicare Payments for Nursing Home Care as a Means of Financing Health Care Reform

/PRNewswire/ -- As federal lawmakers continue to sound out constituents over the August recess on health care reform, and how best to finance a broad-based overhaul, a new Mellman Group (D) national survey (1000 Registered Voters, 8/21-24, +/- 3%) finds Americans, by significant margins, strongly oppose cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care over other funding options. Underscoring the unpopularity of cutting Medicare-financed nursing home care - now proposed by Congress - the data finds a full 66% of voters less likely to support their local member of Congress for reelection if they voted to cut seniors' Medicare-funded care to finance health care reform, believing that cutting such payments would reduce quality of care.

Says the new Mellman Group poll analysis:

"Voters overwhelmingly oppose cutting Medicare payments to nursing homes as a means of financing healthcare reform, expressing their distaste for this approach in several ways during our brief survey.

First, it is the least popular of the funding options being considered.

Second, cutting Medicare payments to nursing homes is far and away the least acceptable method of financing reform.

Finally, a large majority of voters would feel less favorable toward a Member of Congress who supported such an approach. Voters say they will take out their anger on Members who vote for such nursing home cuts at the ballot box. The reason is straightforward--most Americans believe that cutting such payments will reduce the quality of care seniors receive in nursing homes. While healthcare reform is important to many Americans, Medicare funds for nursing homes are considered off limits as a way to finance reform."

When asked "If Congress cut $32 billion in Medicare payments to nursing homes to care for seniors, do you think the quality of care seniors receive in nursing homes would get better, stay about the same or get worse?" the analysis indicates that, "Seniors are equally concerned, as 78% of those over 65 believe nursing home care will get worse because of such cuts and a majority believe care will get much worse (58%)."

The following are the poll questions and results:

1. Congress is now considering ways to pay for healthcare reform. Which one of the following do you think is the most acceptable way to pay for healthcare reform?

Cutting Medicare payments to nursing homes to care for seniors 3%
Raising taxes on people who make over $250,000 per year 45%

Requiring people to pay taxes on generous healthcare benefits they receive from their employers 6%

Taxing health insurance companies 14%
None 26%
Don't know 6%


2. And which one of the following do you think is the least acceptable way to pay for healthcare reform?

Cutting Medicare payments to nursing homes to care for seniors 49%
Raising taxes on people who make over $250,000 per year 8%

Requiring people to pay taxes on generous healthcare benefits they receive from their employers 14%

Taxing health insurance companies 9%
None 14%
Don't know 6%


3. If Congress cut $32 billion in Medicare payments to nursing homes to care for seniors, do you think the quality of care seniors receive in nursing homes would get better, stay about the same or get worse? [IF BETTER/WORSE ASK]. And is that much [BETTER/WORSE] or only somewhat [BETTER/WORSE]?

Much better 4% 7%
Somewhat better 3%
Stay about the same 11%
Somewhat worse 19%
Much worse 59% 78%
Don't know 4%


4. If your Member of Congress voted to fund healthcare reform in part by cutting $32 billion in Medicare payments to nursing homes to care for seniors would you be __more likely to vote to reelect them, __less likely to vote to reelect them or would it not make much difference to your vote? [IF MORE/ LESS LIKELY ASK:] Is that much [MORE/LESS] or somewhat [MORE/LESS] likely?

Much more likely 5% 7%
Somewhat more likely 2%
No difference 20%
Somewhat less likely 17%
Much less likely 49% 66%
Don't know 6%


"From the results of this objective, timely and highly significant national survey, it is abundantly clear the public, to its credit, harbors strong antipathy to slashing Medicare beneficiaries' nursing home benefits to finance any broader reform package," stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA. "We strongly support the laudable objective of the Obama Administration and Congress to expand Americans' access to care, and help bring down health care costs. However, we will continue to warn both on Capitol Hill and at the local level how and why the $32 billion Medicare cuts now under consideration will not only harm seniors' ongoing access to quality nursing home care, but also jeopardize the jobs of the key frontline caregivers who make a significant difference in patients' care outcomes."

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