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Article: The New Math of Old Age.(nursing homes)
- Article from:
- U.S. News & World Report
- Article date:
- September 30, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In a coast-to-coast campaign, complete with high-level lobbying, doomsday advertising, and an RV road trip to gather petition signatures, the nation's nursing home operators are feverishly warning of disaster: the demise of their industry, and the endangerment of the lives of millions, if the federal government doesn't extend billions in payments set to expire October 1. Patients are sicker than ever before, the industry says, so their care costs more; government payments for the elderly poor are so low that homes lose seven cents on the dollar for every patient through the door; budget woes in the states tighten the screws all the more. So powerful is the industry ...