Contact: Jim Suydam
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AUSTIN, Texas — On behalf of those who provide care to Texas nursing facility residents, the Texas Health Care Association has named state Sen. Bryan Hughes a “Champion for Long Term Care” for his efforts to help providers improve nursing home care across the state.

“Sen. Hughes was a fearless advocate for Texans with a loved one in a nursing home during the 85^th legislative session,” said Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “We are very thankful for the vice chairman’s dedication to Texas seniors.”

Sen. Hughes was recognized for his efforts at a ceremony held at Providence Park Rehabilitation and Nursing in Tyler Monday.

During this year’s regular legislative session, the East Texas Republican signed on as co-author to HB2766, which 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.

“It’s not often we can get our money back from Washington with no strings attached. I’m optimistic that next session we can bring this home and provide real help for our seniors,” Hughes said.

HB 2766 would have returned hundreds of millions in federal funds back to Texas to improve 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.

“Sen. Hughes’ support for boosting long term care funding without burdening taxpayers reassured his Republican colleagues in the Senate that House that HB 2766 was a smart plan,” Warren said. “Sen. Hughes had the courage to stand up and fight for vulnerable senior Texans, and we won’t forget that.”

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.

Sen. Hughes is serving his first term in the Texas Senate, representing the 16 counties of Senate District One in Northeast Texas. Previously, he represented District Five in the Texas House of Representatives for seven terms.

He has received numerous awards for his work in the Legislature, including the Taxpayer Champion Award from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and “Defender of the American Dream” from Americans for Prosperity.

 

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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.