Lizzie Fletcher: “I think as we look at what interpretation HCFA has taken of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, I think we have some…”

“I think as we look at what interpretation HCFA has taken of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, I think we have some critical problems that are facing our Nation, especially in the care of our elderly. We see that our rural hospitals are having trouble; several of them are looking at the possibility of closing their doors. We have nursing homes that are going bankrupt; even nursing homes that are run by faith-based organizations, church groups where they really have contributions in addition to what they receive from reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid. Yet we found that, with the very draconian interpretation of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, we have such a reduction that even these operations that have operated very efficiently, not trying to defraud in any way, have been unable to really provide the services or to continue to provide the services that are needed for our senior citizens.”