Seguin Daily News

8-29-08

State Rep. Kuempel tours nursing facility, discusses long-term care issues

(Seguin) -- In a facility tour and briefing today with State Rep. Edmund Kuempel (R-District 44) at Hacienda Oaks Nursing & Rehab facility in Seguin, front-line caregivers explained to their state legislator that adequate funding of the state’s Medicaid rate is critical to providing quality care for Texas elderly. According to recent Medicaid data, Texas seniors receive only $106.59 on average per patient per day, while the national daily average is $153.83 per patient. Caregivers explained that this difference, over time, can make a major impact in patient care programs and services.

“We appreciate Rep. Kuempel joining us today to meet our residents and staff, and to see first-hand how we can work together to improve Texas’ standing in delivering quality long-term care,” said Gary Goodin, administrator for Hacienda Oaks Nursing and Rehab facility in Seguin.

“Many citizens, including many of our policy makers in Austin, do not fully realize the dire funding situation facing long-term care here in Texas, and we hope to work with our state’s political representatives to create additional care improvements and greater long-term security for our patients. Also important to note is that rural nursing homes, like Hacienda Oaks, frequently are the only resource for quality long-term care to elderly residents in the community. Without Hacienda Oaks, our elderly residents and their family members who visit them would have to drive miles and miles from here.”

Kuempel says that ensuring that Texas elderly have access to high-quality, long-term care is and always should be a policy priority for lawmakers.

“We should be proud of the dedication of our local long-term caregivers and applaud them for their commitment to caring for our most fragile citizens. Our legislature must take a thoughtful and sound approach to long-term care policy by addressing both quality of care and adequate funding," said Kuempel.

Texas' Medicaid rates for nursing homes ranks 49th in the nation.