LifeSpan joined forces for the 1st time ever with HFAM to host this event together. The combined show of solidarity was intended to strengthen our ability to advocate effectively on Medicaid funding for senior care in 2009.

Issues raised by LifeSpan members included:

• Labor and employments legislation
• Medicaid budget funding - the Governor's level funding translates into $55 million in reduced payments to skilled facilities, not including inflationary adjustments to facilities.
  
• Continued Medicaid eligibility delays - providers and seniors are harmed by the on-going delays in eligibility determination, and claims processing problems.
• Assisted living regulations contain sweeping changes to oversight with significant cost implications for providers in implementation.
• CCRC oversight by the Department of Aging is broken - increasing delays and dysfunctional approaches to provider requests for contract changes and program expansions are unacceptable.
• Affordable senior housing concerns focus on increasing Congregate Housing Services Program, and drawing attention to the increasing need for assistance for independent living options for seniors of limited means.