Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 15-June 19)

Blog: Congress Airs Concerns on Long-Term Care Insurance (New York Times, June 16, 2009)
As many as 7 million Americans have long-term care insurance policies, and many states confronting burgeoning deficits are urging consumers to buy this type of insurance as a way to protect Medicaid budgets.

Obama Opens the Door for Drastic New Medicare, Medicaid Cuts for Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 16, 2009)
Frayed nerves were showing in the provider community Monday after President Obama announced his intentions Saturday to cut $313 billion more from Medicare and Medicaid over the next 10 years. The proposed new cuts are in addition to the $635 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions already included in the president’s FY 2010 budget, and include billions in potential payment reductions.

Cantwell-Kohl Bill Would Create Incentives for States to Increase Home- and Community-Based Services at the Expense of Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 15, 2009)
A newly proposed bill would reform long-term care by offering more Medicaid money to states for home- and community-based healthcare programs.