Wilmington, Del. – U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, yesterday visited Kutz Senior Living Campus in Wilmington. Along with Kutz leadership and Cheryl Heiks, executive director of the Delaware Health Care Facilities Association, Blunt Rochester toured the campus’ various facilities, including Lodge Lane Assisted Living, to see their specialized units firsthand. Blunt Rochester is advocating for Kutz’s request for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to expand their Elder Abuse Shelter program and community resource liaison efforts.
During her tour, Blunt Rochester met directly with residents and throughout the visit, heard about how cuts to programs, like Medicaid in Republicans’ reconciliation bill, are impacting seniors and their families.
“I am grateful for the exceptional work being done at Kutz Senior Living Campus and their tireless effort to provide a caring home for seniors in Wilmington,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I am not surprised that our seniors are feeling the impact of cuts to critical programs like Medicaid. I will continue to do all I can through meaningful federal investment to help Delawareans mitigate these impacts and provide our seniors with the resources and support they need.”
“Delaware’s long-term care industry appreciates the opportunity to meet with Senator Blunt Rochester and tour Kutz Senior Living to meet with staff and residents to discuss workforce development and reimbursement needs,” said Cheryl Heiks, Executive Director of Delaware Health Care Facilities Association. “We recognize the important role Medicaid plays in long term care, and with a growing elderly population, we need to continue to protect it.”
According to estimates, 24,698 Delawareans stand to lose health coverage as a result of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid.
Amid the Senate’s debate over the “Big, Ugly Bill,” Blunt Rochester proposed an amendment that would have stopped cuts to Medicaid in states across the nation, which was defeated by Senate Republicans.
She also joined a dozen Senate Democrats to release a legislative package that would strengthen and invest in the Medicaid program for children, seniors, Americans with disabilities and working families, as boost federal anti-fraud initiatives. As consideration of the “Big, Ugly Bill” was beginning, Blunt Rochester uplifted the stories of Delawareans who will now be impacted by Republicans’ cuts.
###
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.