Cutting Medicaid funds designated for nursing home care puts patients and jobs at risk, says the Texas Health Care Association.

THCA president Tim Graves cited the government's $15 billion cut in Medicaid as more than enough during a meeting with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

"The impact of continued Medicaid and Medicare funding cuts is a growing squeeze on Texas seniors' care benefits," says Graves. "This funding squeeze is also impacting providers' ability to recruit and retain quality caregivers. In addition to putting key frontline care jobs at risk, the worsening Medicare and Medicaid cost squeeze inhibits facilities' continued investment in cost-effective care, and is directly at odds with our state and national health policy goals."

A large number of people rely on Medicare to cover their health expenses. There are over 2.9 million Medicare beneficiaries in Texas, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

As the population continues to age, more money will be needed to help care for sick patients. Additional cuts will further squeeze the system, THCA points out.