Contact: Jim Suydam
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AUSTIN, Texas — On behalf of vulnerable senior Texans and their families, the Texas Health Care Association has named state Rep. Travis Clardy a “Champion for Long Term Care” for his efforts to help providers improve nursing home care across the state.

“Families with a loved one in long term care should know that Rep. Clardy is looking out for them,” said Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association, which advocates in Austin for improved long-term care in Texas. “We are very thankful for the vice chairman’s dedication to protecting vulnerable seniors.”

Clardy was recognized for his efforts at a ceremony held on Friday at Bonner Street Plaza Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Jacksonville.

During this year’s regular legislative session, the East Texas Republican was the primary author of House Bill 2570. Had it passed, that legislation would have required the state to develop a plan to address workforce challenges that exist in nursing homes that provide care for Medicaid recipients.

Clardy also supported legislation that would have improved Texas nursing homes at no cost to the state by bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional federal funding. House Bill 2766 died in the Senate after overwhelmingly clearing the House with bipartisan support.

“Caring for our elderly and disabled is an important mission in protecting the sanctity of life,” Rep. Travis Clardy said. “I am committed to ensuring those who cannot care for themselves receive the medical care they need with dignity and respect from qualified and trained professionals. I appreciate Texas Health Care Association’s partnership and support and look forward to working to improve long term health care in Texas.”

HB 2766 would have brought in much-needed funding to improve Texas nursing homes without increased state spending. This new money would have enabled nursing home owners across the state to raise wages, enhance training, and improve their facilities and the care they provide. Vice Chairman Clardy’s support for boosting long term care funding without burdening taxpayers reassured his Republican colleagues in the House that HB 2766 was a smart plan,” Warren said. “And House Bill 2570 would have helped ensure those dollars were being spent efficiently.

“Rep. Clardy had the courage to stand up and fight for vulnerable senior Texans, and we won’t forget that,” Warren concluded.

Long term care in Texas is facing a staffing and quality crisis as nursing home operators struggle to get by with state reimbursements that don’t even cover the cost of care for Medicaid residents.

Rep. Clardy is currently serving his third term representing District 11, which includes Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Rusk counties. He is a small business owner and attorney who lives in Nacogdoches. In the Texas House, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee and as a member of the Energy Resources and Higher Education committees.

 

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About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.