Supported by AARP Arizona
The financial burden of long-term care in Arizona is a growing concern, as more residents require these services while providers struggle with the costs. This situation is pushing the state to seek increased financial support.
David Voepel, CEO of the Arizona Health Care Association, highlights a significant issue: the absence of increased reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities in recent years. According to him, “Right now, if you just look at skilled nursing, we’re $32.57 behind per patient day.”
This shortfall means that facilities with a large number of patients relying on ALTCS, Arizona’s long-term care system, could be losing around $2,000 daily. Voepel explains, “You can’t survive off of that.” To address this, the association is advocating for a $14.4 million increase in funding for long-term care. This effort involves pushing for separate legislation and gaining support from the governor’s office and legislative leaders.
Additionally, there is anticipation for the re-introduction of a bill that would permit families to install cameras in the rooms of nursing home residents. A similar proposal was previously unsuccessful in the legislature.
For more information on the challenges of long-term care costs, visit the KJZZ article. Details about the inability of older adults to afford such care can be found here.
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