Budget Cuts Could Force Nursing Layoffs
DENVER (AP) - Nursing home officials are warning that a steep cut in Medicare payments for short-term patients will likely result in layoffs.
Colorado Health Care Association spokeswoman Arlene Miles says Medicare is cutting payments for its patients in short-term nursing homes by nearly $60 a day per patient.
According to the Denver Post, the change means nearly $37 million less in federal payments to Colorado nursing homes next year, threatening staffing levels and squeezing facilities already challenged by low patient counts.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
