The letter below was submitted for publication to the Jewish light by Jews united for justice. JUJ was informed by the light that they would not publish the letter because at some point the debate needs to be cut off.  We think it is critical that the Jewish community be informed about the status of the JCA and how it is faring in meeting its mission to care for all of our Jewish elders-regardless of their ability to pay.   It is a fundamental principle of journalism to provide information from various points of view.   With membership of 170 and a history of providing credible information – JUJ’s perspective is  important to the Jewish community.

February 16, 2004

TO:  The Editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light

We are writing in response to Ken Rubin's letter to the Light on February 4.  To begin with, on behalf of Jews United for Justice we would like to commend Mr. Rubin's statement that he is committed to a diverse Board and to the Jewish character of the nursing home.  These are important first steps to honor the mission of the JCA. 

Mr. Rubin's letter, however, contains a number of inaccuracies and misrepresentations.

First and most significant, NO LOW INCOME JEWS OR JEWS WHO WILL BE WITHOUT FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE JCA IN THE LAST YEAR.  The care for low and middle income Jews is critical to meeting the JCA mission and this care for our Jewish elders has been absent.  It is clear that the JCA as the Jewish nursing home is failing to provide for its Jewish elderly

Second, we would like to respond to several points made by Mr. Rubin:

*           We agree that there should be strong community engagement in the JCA.  In order to do that the community needs information and a forum for reciprocal communication.

*             The Jewish community needs to know the financial situation at the JCA. We would like to know the number of current residents in each of the following categories: 1) those paying privately, 2) those whose room, board and medications are covered by Medicaid, 3) short term residents in the rehabilitation program covered by Medicare, and 4) residents of the Assisted Living program.

We need to know that the JCA plans to meet the needs of low and middle income Jews and how this will be accomplished.

*           We agree that the Cedars at the JCA should be the "first choice for elderly Jews requiring a facility of its kind". yet we know of many elderly Jews who have been refused admission. to the JCA because they lacked financial resources.  These folks are at other non-Jewish nursing homes not from choice but because their first choice--the JCA--rejected them.

*           We disagree with Mr. Rubin's statement that the reduction in Medicaid beds did not force residents to move.  We know of a number of residents' families who were so frightened last January because of the letter and conversations with staff about Medicaid bed availability that they left the JCA for other facilities.  We also are aware of middle-income residents who could not afford the new higher rates, and had no choice but to relocate to other facilities.  As important as the current residents, we know of many who are not even bothering to apply to the JCA because they cannot afford the high rates.

*               Finally, we fail to understand how the construction of the luxury accommodations at the Cedars and expenses for the former director could be considered "cost effective" when the cost to the community is the reduction or elimination of beds available to middle and low income.  We believe that cost effectiveness should be based on the construction of a comfortable, modestly priced home that could accommodate Jews of all incomes.

We encourage the Board of the JCA to meet with the Jewish community and openly discuss these issues and discuss how we can work together to meet the needs of our Jewish elders.

Sincerely,

On behalf of Jews United for Justice

Linda Holtzman
David Lander
Rhona Lyons
Niki Nymark
Debra Schuster

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