Senior Residential Facility in Bedford, Ohio

NEWS Releases

Safeguarding our Seniors: The Crucial Role of Medicaid at Light of Hearts Villa

At Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio, our mission is to provide compassionate, faith-based care to seniors, ensuring they live with dignity and grace. A significant aspect of fulfilling this mission involves navigating the complexities of Medicaid, a program that serves as a lifeline for many of our residents.
Understanding Medicaid's Role

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that offers health coverage to low-income individuals, including many seniors who require long-term care. It’s a cornerstone of America’s safety net, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive necessary medical services.

However, recent policy discussions have raised concerns about potential changes to Medicaid’s structure and funding. Proposals such as block grants or per capita caps could limit the program’s flexibility and responsiveness, potentially affecting the quality and availability of care for those who depend on it.

The Impact on Light of Hearts Villa

At Light of Hearts Villa, Medicaid plays a pivotal role in supporting our residents. In 2024, 48% of our residents relied on Medicaid or similar support, a figure that underscores the program’s importance in our community.

Despite this support, Medicaid often falls short of covering the full cost of care. In 2023, we faced a shortfall of over $1.1 million due to the gap between Medicaid reimbursements and actual care costs. This financial strain highlights the challenges faced by nonprofit senior living facilities in maintaining high-quality care amidst funding uncertainties.

Our commitment remains steadfast: no resident has ever been asked to leave due to financial constraints. We bridge funding gaps through community support, fundraising efforts, and the dedication of our staff and volunteers.

Advocacy and Community Support

The Catholic Health Association (CHA) emphasizes the ethical imperative of supporting programs like Medicaid, viewing them as expressions of our collective commitment to the common good and the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.

CHA provides resources and advocacy tools to help communities like ours engage with policymakers, ensuring that the voices of those we serve are heard in legislative discussions. Their “Protect What’s Precious” campaign, for instance, offers materials to advocate for the retention and strengthening of Medicaid coverage.

Moving Forward Together

As we navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare policy, the support of our community becomes ever more vital. Whether through advocacy, donations, or volunteering, your involvement makes a tangible difference in the lives of our residents.”

Together, we can ensure that Light of Hearts Villa continues to be a sanctuary of care, compassion, and dignity for seniors, regardless of their financial means.

Join Us In Making a Difference

Advocate: Reach out to your local and federal representatives to express support for robust Medicaid funding.

Donate: Contribute to our Benevolent Fund to help cover care costs not met by Medicaid.

Volunteer: Offer your time and talents to enrich the lives of our residents.

To Learn more about the Catholic Health Association’s advocacy efforts and how you can support Medicaid, click here >

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Sister Regina Kusnir Chapel of Light: A Legacy of Faith and Compassion

Sister Regina Kusnir, SC, has lived a life of extraordinary charity and has been an integral part of Light of Hearts Villa. She helped coordinate the transition of Lumen Cordium High School into an assisted living facility in 1989. Since 2005, she has served as the director of pastoral and special ministries, where she helps address the spiritual life of residents.

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