Increase Funding for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)

In the wake of over 15,000 nursing home COVID deaths so far, AARP New York is urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to better fund the State’s independent nursing home watchdog, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, and we need your help. 

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Dear Governor Hochul and state lawmakers,

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I urge Governor Hochul and my state legislators to increase funding for New York's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) by $15 million in the final state budget as proposed in the Assembly One House Budget. The pandemic has shined a light on many serious quality care issues in New York’s long-term care (LTC) facilities. The LTCOP can play a significant role in raising the level of care provided by long-term care facilities in our state and assuring that every resident is treated with the dignity that they deserve. But it is woefully underfunded.

According to the State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), there are about 1,500 facilities in the state housing more than 160,000 residents who have a need for – and a right to – LTCOP services. However, LTCOP is allocated only $1.190 million in state resources to cover these facilities.

New York State has the 4th highest LTC resident population in the country (163,755 beds), but state funding lags well behind other states with similar or higher LTC resident populations. Nursing home residents deserve better.

I urge Governor Hochul and my state legislators to increase LTCOP funding by making an additional investment of $15 million to add local professional ombudsmen and to help residents and family members understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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