NJ Balances Budget on Old Folks’ Backs,|Says Adult Medical Day Care Center

NEWARK (CN) - New Jersey's 2010 budget unconstitutionally limits Medicaid reimbursements to adult day-care providers, one such center claims in Federal Court. Buckingham Adult Medical Day Care Center says it is licensed to care for 500 patients - and all of them receive Medicaid - but the state's new budget will limit its Medicaid reimbursements to 200 patients a day.

Buckingham, of Prospect Park, says it is licensed for 250 "slots" and two "shifts." "Therefore, Buckingham is authorized to provide services to 500 patients per day."

All of its patients are Medicaid beneficiaries, Buckingham says. New Jersey's 2010 recently approved Appropriations Act would force it to turn away 300 patients a day, hurting the patients and devastating the business, it adds.

The new Appropriations Act states that "no licensed facility in the adult Medical Day Care Program may serve or receive reimbursement for more than 200 Medicaid beneficiaries per day."

Buckingham says this is an unconstitutional taking. It represented by Steven Antico and Rebecca Edelman with Garfunkel, Wild and Travis in Hackensack.

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