Target Dems Set Sights on Nursing Homes

FYI a version of this release went out to the following districts: Alan Grayson (FL-08) and Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24).

Grayson Sets Sights on Nursing Homes

Medicare Cuts of Little Concern to Out-of-Touch Florida Dem

Washington- Nursing homes could be next on the list of victims of the Democrats’ government healthcare takeover – at least if Alan Grayson has anything to say about the matter. Grayson has come out in favor of cutting Medicare in order to pay for his party’s reckless healthcare agenda, even if it means a significant hit to nursing homes and Florida seniors.

According to the Florida Times-Union, nursing homes are bracing themselves for a hit:

“Plans to cut Medicare spending to pay for a health care overhaul in America will cost Florida nursing homes nearly $3.5 billion over the next decade, a national nursing home group said Tuesday in Jacksonville.

“The cuts will almost certainly force many nursing homes to trim staffing levels, a move that the Coalition to Protect Senior Care warns could come at the expense of patient services. Nationwide, the reduction would total $32 billion over 10 years, under the leading plan Congress is considering.” (Jeremy Cox, “Proposed Medicare Cuts Have Nursing Homes Worried,” Florida Times-Union, 9/2/09)

Yet Grayson seems gung-ho about proposals that will cut healthcare benefits for seniors and put nursing homes in a serious bind:

“If the [healthcare] bill is the way it is right now, I’m going to vote for it.” ( Grayson interview with WFTV-TV, 7/24/09)

“Unfortunately for Florida seniors, it looks like Alan Grayson will stop at nothing to cut Medicare, target nursing homes, and force through his party’s government healthcare takeover,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Central Floridians are already suffering during these tough times, but their congressman is more concerned with enacting his anti-seniors agenda at any cost. The message from Alan Grayson to Central Floridians who rely on Medicare to cover critical healthcare costs is loud and clear: Brace yourselves.”

As Alan Grayson and his friends in Washington continue to force through their reckless agenda, Central Florida’s senior citizens have plenty of reasons to be concerned. And with heavy Medicare cuts in his sights, it’s clear that Grayson has no qualms about cutting essential benefits as he pushes a healthcare takeover that is losing steam by the day.

###