The New Partygoers – McKnight’s Long-Term Care News

Politics aside, the recent election appeared to be a resounding success for owners and operators of long-term care facilities.

And yes, I see the irony in such a claim. It’s a bit like asking, “Other than the smells, how would you like working in a fertilizer factory?”

But let’s take stock of what just happened in the election.

First, voters elected a commander in chief whose contempt for regulatory oversight and bureaucracy is legendary. President-elect Trump has made it clear that he intends to take a wrecking ball to both sides after he is sworn in.

Secondly, and somewhat relatedly, the chances of a nurse staffing mandate actually being implemented are apparently, to borrow a phrase from NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen: “Slim to none, and slim was just walking out the door.”

Then there’s the icing on the cake: California voters rejected a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage. When was the last time that happened? True, it’s just a state. But if such a measure can fail in a place as politically blue as California, it’s hard to deny that the nation is trending to the right.

All in all, it’s a nice pearl necklace for the field. So it’s finally time to exhale, right? Maybe not so quickly.

The line from “Uncle John’s Band” reminds us: “When life looks like Easy Street, danger is just around the corner.” And for long-term care, that looming danger could be enormous.

I’m talking about the prospect of massive cuts to long-term care’s largest source of funding – Medicaid.

Earlier this month, Trump announced plans to create a Ministry of Government Efficiency co-chaired by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Your mission? Find ways to reduce government spending and inefficiencies.

Both men have suggested that cuts to Medicaid spending may be on the table. It’s not hard to see why. In 2022, Medicaid spending in the U.S. totaled $805.7 billion, with $154.4 billion of that going to long-term care services and supports.

Even by Washington standards, that’s not chump change. That makes this type of spending ripe for scrutiny.

Certainly, efforts to enforce work requirements and repeal Obamacare provisions will be a priority. But let’s be honest: Medicaid cuts are more like chainsaw surgery than precise scalpel work. Significant collateral damage – whether intentional or unintentional – is a real possibility.

For long-term care nurses, the challenges ahead may prove as sleepless as those seemingly left behind. Maybe even more.

John O’Connor is editorial director at McKnight’s.

The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News columns do not necessarily reflect those of McKnight.