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THCA calls for more Medicaid funding ahead of 'Silver Tsunami'

"The number of Texans over 65 is expected to more than double by 2030, and by 2050, is projected to increase by more than 262 percent," the Texas Health Care Association said in a press release.

BELL COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Health Care Association said Bell County's long-term care facilities don't have enough Medicaid funding to provide quality care for every patient, and there will be more even more seniors that need care in the future.

"The number of Texans over 65 is expected to more than double by 2030, and by 2050, is projected to increase by more than 262 percent," THCA said in a press release.

THCA Director of Government Relations Scot Kibbe told Channel 6 the federal government matches what the state of Texas puts in. He said Texas could put more in, but the amount has not changed in four years.

"Over the years, Texas has fallen farther and farther behind on that rate," Kibbe said. "Even while health care becomes more expensive and the labor market gets more difficult."

How has the Medicaid rate affected central Texas?

When Channel 6 reached out to a local long-term care facility, we found the situation may be worse than expected.

The Mercy House in Temple, which serves Alzheimer's disease patients, no longer takes Medicaid patients. Owner Tony Jeter said it's the only way he can afford to pay his staff.

"We would have to pay much less for our hourly rate because Medicaid rates are much less," Jeter said. "We're a small model, we try to have more staff for residents."

When residents have memory-related issues, Jeter said it can't be helped.

"They require more eyes-on care," Jeter said.

The other problem, Jeter said, is how the Medicaid rate affects the labor market. Companies that do take it must take advantage of scale.

"They have hundreds of Medicaid people, and they will hire all their people, and they pay what they need to pay, which is close to minimum wage, and they churn." Jeter said.

"Churn" means they have a high turnover rate for employees, Jeter said.

While companies are still negotiating the current rates, the THCA said a "Silver Tsunami" of seniors that will need care is about to flood across Texas.

"According to data from the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Texas Facts and Figures, over 380,000 of the state’s residents have already developed Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia," the press release said.

Kibbe said the THCA supported a bill in the 2017 Texas Legislative session that would have made additional federal funds available for medical care and would have tied in improvements to qualify for care.

Kibbe said it would also help raise the Medicaid rate. The bill passed the Texas House, but did not pass the Senate.

He said the THCA will work to introduce a similar bill in the 2019 session.

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