Whitefish Pilot: Senator talks Medicare at rehab center
Sen. Jon Tester toured the Whitefish Care & Rehabilitation Center last week taking the time to pose for pictures with patients and speak with staff.
Tester addressed a gathering of residents in the center’s dinning hall and thanked residents for allowing him to visit.
“We’ll continue to make sure you get the care you need,” he said. “There’s been a lot of cutbacks, but we want to see the programs that work stay open.”
Medicare cuts went into effect last fall that reduces Medicare funding to nursing homes.
“Medicare has worked quite effectively,” Tester said. “Before Medicare people were on the street. We don’t want to go back to those days. We have an obligation to make sure that the program is there.”
Nathan Purdy, administrator for the care center, told Tester that Medicare and Medicaid cuts have been difficult for the care center to bear.
“The residents tell me every single day that we need more CNAs and nurses,” he said.
