Another concern I have is that the capital costs contained in the rate are capped at a low flat rate. Because of this, many providers cannot make necessary capital improvements. Our mission is to foster independence in those we serve, and to do so, we require capital improvements to keep pace with medical and technological advances that provide our patients an optimal care environment. America's skilled nursing facilities cannot shoulder the burden any longer. Facilities are closing.
Bankruptcies are rampant.
There is strong evidence of flight from the Medicare program, which is a very dangerous and frightening trend for our nation s Medicare beneficiaries who were promised this care and depend on it. We simply cannot wait. Our resources are strained to the limit. So I sit here in front of you today to ask that you please take action THIS YEAR to ensure America's seniors don't get caught, again, in the wake of these unfair Medicare cuts. We applaud those responsible for passage of the Medicare, Medicaid and S-CHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000.