The governor’s most recently proposed budget includes cuts to our two skilled nursing facilities that exceed $900K. It’s an outrage that I cannot ignore. These proposed cuts are in addition to flat Medicaid rates since 2008, unfunded mandatory minimum wage requirements and other reductions in revenue.

We serve thousands of people in St. Lawrence County, yet our reimbursement compared to hospitals, schools, municipal and state operations, is nowhere near equitable. While skilled nursing and rehabilitation services are not inexpensive, the alternatives in many cases, cost at least twice as much. The 2018 closure of our Adult Home resulted in 22 of 27 people going to a more expensive level of care.

I have said to many, that there is enough money in the system if we did a better job of right-sizing, paid for value versus political clout and stopped funding costly services that have no basis in today’s reality.

While I applaud efforts to rein in spending, I encourage our state officials and elected representatives to review funding methodologies with an eye toward some semblance of equity, client needs and smarter spending. Lastly, I call on our senior citizens, their families and concerned community members, to support funding equity for those who have spent their lives contributing to our well-being; they and 1,000 United Helpers employees deserve it.

Stephen E. Knight

United Helpers Organization CEO