CUTS TAKE BITE FROM ASSISTANCE FOR ELDERLY

Published: January 7, 2003

By Alice Perry Linker, Observer Staff Writer

The elderly widow who has trouble walking and needs help preparing meals may find herself living on her own by the end of January.

The widow and numerous other frail elderly are considered able to care for themselves under new Department of Human Service rules written in the wake of state budget reductions. The new plan reflects a change in the way state Medicaid will pay for services for the elderly.

Those who are losing services are "frail people with minimum mobility, with a high risk of falling," said Libby Goben who heads the Northeast Oregon DHS office charged with helping the elderly and people with disabilities.

"They may need a walker or other help with walking. Often, they can't go out alone; they can't lift. Many have some confusion and need a reminder to take their medication," she said.

They fall within the disability ranking known as Level 15 through 17.

Those with greater disabilities will continue to receive Medicaid services only if their monthly income is no higher than about $552. Their fate is in the hands of Oregon voters.

If Ballot Measure 28 passes, Medicaid funding to help the elderly and the extremely old continue to live in nursing homes and other care centers will continue.

If Ballot Measure 28 fails, most elderly, no matter how disabled, will lose the Medicaid money that pays for long-term care.

"Many of these people earn about $750 a month," Goben said.

The Medicaid rule now allows elderly people who earn three times the base amount to receive Medicaid support for long-term care, which can cost up to $3,500 a month. The Medicaid support becomes a supplement for the person's private monthly income and both are paid to the care home, with the person receiving a small monthly cash stipend.

Goben predicts that if Measure 28 fails, "we'll have about eight nursing home patients eligible for Medicaid.

"All these figures are ballpark, but I expect that of the 325 cases in Union County, we'll have only 57 left," she said.

Union County Commissioner John Lamoreau, who until late December was manager of Grande Ronde Retirement Residence, said he hopes the state emergency board will recognize the impact before Measure 28 goes to the voters.

"I feel confident we can reverse the proposed cuts when the

E-board meets," he said.

Should the E-board not act and should Ballot Measure 28 fail, the cuts will begin Feb. 21 and nursing homes will be asked to complete the reductions by April.

"There will be a four-month transition," Goben said.

According to Goben's calculations, about 55 people living in assisted living homes, Grande Ronde Retirement Residence and Wildflower Lodge, will lose their benefits, leaving about eight in the two homes. Another nine who live in two Residential Care Facilities will lose their benefits.

Some people who live in foster homes owned by their relatives are eligible for Medicaid, but if Measure 28 passes, 15 will lose their benefits, leaving only about three elderly people in Union County who will qualify.

About 30 people living in adult foster homes will lose benefits, leaving five who are eligible.

Similar losses are predicted for Wallowa County, Goben said.