Angus King

It's not exactly a morale booster.

They're also going to be facing closure; aren't they?

That's a scary thought, isn't it?

TAP is the Transition Assistance Program?

So on a dollar to a nursing home, the State of Maine puts up roughly 40 percent, the feds 60?

Always a bad place to be.

So awareness is a big part of the issue?

You're dipping into savings to pay the rent.

For the record, I totally agree with that statement.

I believe that we have leaders there that want to help us, they care.

However, there is a problem with some of the processes. I mean they're labor intense.

Will that access information include information about VA availabilities?

I think Brunswick or Portland is halfway between Madawaska and New York City. People don't realize how tall Maine is.

I'm sorry nobody said we're not gonna return these phone calls, it just didn't happen.

One of the concerns--and I've heard this when I've met with their agencies, particularly in rural Maine, is an epidemic of loneliness.

I'm so grateful for your office, Senator King.

So the problem wasn't the service, it was the time to get the service; is that correct?

Take note of what she just said. Twenty-five percent of the residents in Aroostook County today are over 65. That's extraordinary.

So it's a vicious circle. The workload goes up, the staff burns out and leaves, and then you've got another gap.

Stabilize the workforce. This is directly tied to increased reimbursements, as you've heard, which need to be tied to inflation.

I urge this committee to focus on the impact that Medicare and Medicaid payment policy is having on veterans' access to post-acute care services.

People have told me that too so----

Your costs didn't go down? Your cost didn't go down----

We need a sustainable system of care. And if we want that sustainable system of care, we have to fund it.

So that's compounded by additional regulations that increase cost but don't provide any additional funds; is that correct?