Texas Lawmakers Asked to Address State’s Senior Care Crisis
Legislation Would Help Prepare State for Silver Tsunami of Aging Baby Boomers
(AUSTIN, Texas) Members of the Texas Senate Finance Committee turned their focus to the state’s growing senior care crisis during a public hearing held at the State Capitol on Monday. Senate Bill 1050 by State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, was presented to the committee as a much-needed solution to the financial crisis facing Texas nursing homes that won’t increase the state budget.
“This bill creates a method of finance that allows Texas to draw down federal dollars directed to nursing home care and ties all the funding to improving quality outcomes,” said Sen. Hughes. “It creates a transparent and accountable funding stream to ensure funds are used appropriately and nursing homes are held accountable, all without adding to the state budget.
“Most importantly, SB 1050 demonstrates to our loved ones and friends who have built Texas that they are a priority,” added Hughes.
Forty-four other states have similar programs in place to improve nursing home care. Texas is one of the six states that do not, despite its chronic underfunding of senior care. State payments to nursing homes in Texas are among the lowest in the nation, and it has been almost two decades since there was a significant increase.
Industry experts say the underfunding has taken a toll, as state quality rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have Texas nursing homes ranked 51 out of 51. Texas has more one-star and two-star nursing homes than any other state.
Liz Silva of Dallas traveled to the State Capitol to share her story and that of her 95-year-old parents who are residents of a Duncanville nursing home.
“My mother needs help doing basic things like using the restroom, showering and putting in her hearing aids. These things are personal, and the constant turnover creates anxiety, complicates the care she receives and affects the quality of life she has,” Silva continued.
Without action, nursing home operators say the quality crisis will worsen and facilities could face closure. Currently, 25% of Texas nursing homes are operating at levels that put them at risk for closure. In 2018, the largest nursing home operator in the state filed for bankruptcy, and during the same year, one of the largest nursing providers in the country left Texas. Both cited the state’s low funding as a factor in their decisions.
The low funding is also fueling a workforce crisis resulting in Texas nursing homes experiencing some of the highest staff turnover rates in the country: 97% for certified nursing assistants, 90% for registered nurses and 90% for licensed vocational nurses.
Megan Burch, director of nurses for the Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, also testified on the effects of high staff turnover.
“I have dedicated and experienced caregivers leaving us for higher wages. I can no longer compete with fast food restaurants and local convenience stores,” said Burch. “
Burch added, “Healthcare is not a glamorous job. While rewarding, it is hard, backbreaking work and we need the state’s help to ensure we can compete for aides and nurses to care for the people we love.”
“With our rate of turnover, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to consistently provide and maintain the level of care our aging Texans deserve,” said Kevin Warren, chief executive officer for the Texas Health Care Association.
Warren continued, “Sadly, when it comes to caring for our elderly in Texas, our state falls short. If this measure isn’t approved, I’m afraid the worst is yet to come.”
