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| Wilson Joined by Key Congressional Health Care Leader |
August 02, 2004 |
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| New Mexico Health Care Association news release
Congresswomen Tour Skilled Nursing Facility and Meets with Albuquerque Seniors on New Medicare Law
Urgent Long Term Care Issues Discussed: Medicare, Quality Care, Staffing
Albuquerque, NM – Prescription drug benefits, quality improvement in skilled nursing care and the need for increased staffing are some of the long term care issues Reps. Heather Wilson, (R-MN) and Nancy Johnson, (R-CT) addressed with Albuquerque seniors today following a tour of a local skilled nursing facility.
"New prescription drug discounts are giving immediate help to New Mexico seniors," Wilson said. "I`ll continue to work to inform seniors of their options and benefits. That`s why I welcome my friend Congresswoman Nancy Johnson to New Mexico. She is a Medicare expert, a champion for America`s seniors, and I`m pleased to have worked with her to strengthen Medicare."
Rep. Johnson, who chairs the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, co-authored the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 that for the first time provides prescription drug coverage to seniors through Medicare. She accompanied Rep. Wilson on a tour of Paloma Blanca Health and Rehabilitation skilled nursing facility in Albuquerque today and along with Wilson, addressed caregivers, patients and their family members on the most critical long term care issues facing New Mexico’s seniors.
“"Seniors in America will now benefit from Medicare prescription drug coverage and a higher quality of care." Johnson told the patients and caregivers at the Paloma facility. “We passed landmark legislation last December, but there is more work to do and I am here today to tell you that Congresswoman Wilson and I will continue to fight for you, the greatest generation, to see that you receive the best quality care.”
A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that seniors who currently do not have prescription drug coverage, will save an average of 17.4 percent with the Medicare prescription cards under the new law. Roughly 49,000 New Mexico seniors are expected to qualify for an extra $600 subsidy on their drug cards because they have annual incomes below $12,569 for individuals or $16,862 for couples.
“The long term care community in Albuquerque is fortunate to have a strong advocate for seniors in Representative Wilson,” said Linda Sechovec, Executive Director of the New Mexico Health Care Organization. “Our dedicated caregivers for the frail and elderly face challenges everyday while being minimally staffed and taking on more complex patient conditions. The long term care community is striving for economic stability that will allow us to provide the highest quality of care to our vulnerable seniors who need and deserve the best. We need champions and we’re grateful for Heather Wilson and Nancy Johnson.”
Paloma Blanca Health and Rehabilitation is licensed for a 119-bed facility with all beds
dually-certified for Medicare and Medicaid program participation and operates with an average daily census of 117 residents. The facility provides skilled nursing and long-term care, IV Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. Services available through the facility include resident-centered/community-oriented Activities, Social Services, and Nutrition Counseling.
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