May 11, 2022 Baltimore, MD — Remarks from Allison Ciborowski, president and CEO of LeadingAge Maryland, one of 38 state partners of LeadingAge, the national association of nonprofit providers of aging services, speaking at a press event today, following a tour of The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and roundtable discussion attended by CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and three Maryland nursing home providers: 

“Thank you, Administrator, for coming to see firsthand, with your own eyes, what it looks like to be on the front line of the pandemic and at the forefront of providing high quality care to older adults. And thank you for acknowledging and honoring the people who work here at St. Elizabeth’s. You cannot imagine how powerful it is for them to be seen and recognized by you for their commitment. 

Administrator, you saw what the leaders and staff here at St. Elizabeth’s do – and they do it every day of the year, all day and night – and they do it on $297.50 per resident, per day. That is the daily rate Medicaid pays for what you saw today. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? These limited dollars can only go so far. 

Yet the only additional funding called for in the Administration’s nursing home initiative is for more survey resources. Finding more deficiencies and taking money out of nursing homes is not going to get us what we want. If this model worked, and if today’s reimbursement was sufficient, we wouldn’t be experiencing the crisis in access to care. 

It’s going to take real investment to achieve the Administration’s laudable goals. The workforce shortages being felt in nursing homes, and more broadly across the aging services sector, are crippling. Without staff, we have nothing. 

A staffing ratio mandate will not amount to more than words – and more fines for noncompliance – without meaningful changes to increase the supply of qualified workers, for example in immigration policy. 

Now, we have an opportunity. We need an all of government approach to effectively meet the needs of our country’s rapidly aging population. 

Those closest to the work must be included in solutions for the future. We appreciate you taking the time to hear directly from and really listen to those on the ground – the true experts. Their input is vital to inform strategies that promote high quality care and a robust, sustainable workforce. Now more than ever, as we celebrate Older Americans Month throughout May, we are eager to continue working with you and the Administration to ensure that quality nursing home care is accessible to all Americans.” 

LeadingAge Maryland member roundtable attendees:

• Steve Coetzee, president and CEO, Fahrney Keedy, Boonsboro, MD
• Regina Figueroa, chief operating officer, National Lutheran Communities & Services, Frederick, MD
• Edwina Bell, Director of Nursing, The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Baltimore, MD

We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.