MEDICARE - Reader upset by benefit cuts

As a Medicare beneficiary who has recently moved into an assisted living facility, I was very disappointed to hear about Medicare payment reductions to nursing homes coming out of Washington DC. I understand fully from my own experience how crucial stable Medicare funding is to patients and the doctors, home health care workers and facilities we turn to when we need help.

As a consumer of Medicare, I want to make sure that strong services are available in Ellensburg for extended nursing home care and home health care services. Seniors and others dependent on Medicare should have the peace of mind to know that Medicare will cover the services they need.

I am concerned that recent cuts - and the threat of even more Medicare cuts being added to the mix during budget reduction talks - are going to negatively impact skilled nursing facilities and their ability to effectively rehabilitate patients like myself. I hope our lawmakers in Washington will recognize the immense value of nursing and rehab centers and protect them from any more Medicare cuts.

Willa Lou Burketta

Ellensburg