On March 6, The Brothers of Mercy was privileged to host Joseph Popiolowski, Legislative Director for Assemblywoman Karen McMahon who represents District 146, last week. Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Blackchief set the stage for residents and families to express their concerns, and the same concerns she has been sharing with Albany for 25 years. “Many of the faces change, but the key issue has not,” Blackchief said. “Nursing homes have not seen a cost-of-living or inflationary adjustment in many years. Our rates are essentially the same as they were in 2012. It was manageable for a few years, but the continued lack of attention should concern more than just operators and the amazing older adults we serve.”

Residents, families and staff spoke candidly about the real-life impact of chronic Medicaid underfunding. Medicaid contributes to the majority of nursing home care in New York, yet reimbursement continues to fall far short of the actual cost of care, creating a growing gap that providers are expected to absorb. Residents spoke passionately about the importance of protecting access to long-term care for today’s seniors and the generations that will follow.

Families also voiced deep concern about the wave of nursing home closures and bed reductions happening across the state. As one family member noted, “When hospitals don’t have rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to discharge to, the hospitals back up and the whole community suffers.”

Danielle Bozich, of Heritage Ministries, shared the heartbreaking experience regarding the closure of her facility located near Jamestown, citing having residents being moved as far as 30 miles away from their loved ones due to lack of available beds in the surrounding area. In the fall of 2024, when Weinberg Campus in Getzville closed, The Brothers of Mercy became the new home for 18 older adults who had to be moved. This was only a 13-mile move, but 30 minutes and demonstrated a travel hardship for some.

Several family members also asked an important question: What is the plan for the next generation? New York’s population is aging rapidly, and more people will need skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in the years ahead — not fewer. Yet the long-term care system is shrinking at the very moment demand will increase.

One family member summarized the concern shared by many in the room: “There is a significant number of people in New York getting older. More people will need care, not less. There will be nowhere left for us to go, and the state isn’t doing anything about it.”

Blackchief closed the discussion by outlining several specific priorities that providers across the state are urging lawmakers to include in the 2026 New York State budget, focused on stabilizing Medicaid funding, protecting access to nursing home care, and ensuring that communities will continue to have the long-term care services they need for generations to come.