Statement on Equity and Unity

June 4, 2020

From Charlotte Haberaecker, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America

Our conviction that diversity is our strength, unity our biggest hope, and equity for all people throughout America must be demanded and achieved has never been more true — nor more deeply felt — than over this past week. George Floyd’s senseless death, like the countless people before him struck down by systemic racism, must be more than yet another wake-up call.

Damyn Kelly, President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of New York, is correct when he emphasizes the obligation we all have to “not only act in ways that enhance quality of life for those we serve, but also to speak out against injustice when we see or experience it… We must continue to explore our personal biases against those who are different.”

As a faith-based community, we honor, respect and heed the voices in America crying out in pain, frustration and anger. In lifting high and responding to those voices, we not only have the collective opportunity to fix as a nation what has been so wrong for so long, but the imperative to do so. Doing so will require not only listening carefully and personal commitments to battle inequity and racism at every turn, but creating related policy improvements that so directly impact communities nationwide.

As people of faith, we pray and speak for hope, healing, justice and peace. As Lutheran social ministry, God’s grace and care for our neighbor — central tenets of our heritage — inform our commitment to dismantling inequity. Acting to build a stronger future — one that is fair, just and will deliver meaningful change for us all — will make our communities and nation immeasurably stronger.

About Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America is the national network of Lutheran social ministry organizations — connecting over 300 nonprofit health and human service providers located throughout the country. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s largest nonprofits, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $22 billion in annual revenue and over 250,000 member employees. Together, the network lifts up the nation’s most vulnerable people from children to seniors — making a difference in the lives of one in 50 Americans every year. To learn more, please visit www.lutheranservices.org.

Comments & Statements - Disability Statement on Senate’s Passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

March 25, 2020

Statement from Charlotte Haberaecker,
President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America

in response to today’s Senate passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748)

March 25, 2020

“While we are eager to fully review the entire legislation just passed, the U.S. Senate did the right thing in today’s vote on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act when they ensured that many nonprofits receiving Medicaid funding will be eligible for SBA loans with loan forgiveness to support their work helping so many people in need during this pandemic. This is a crucial part of this third Congressional relief package, given how many nonprofits like our 300 health and human services organizations are on the frontlines fighting COVID-19. These dedicated Lutheran social ministry organizations are working around the clock caring for one in 50 Americans in need, in over 1,400 communities in 46 states across the country – a charge made all the more difficult given the ongoing pandemic dramatically affecting the people our organizations care for.

“Additional funding resources will be absolutely critical in the months to come. This is particularly vital when considering many of our Lutheran social ministry organizations are helping people affected by the pandemic while in crisis mode; they are lacking personal protective equipment, incurring additional expenses, and struggling with limited cash reserves and already-tight margins.

“We are eager to learn the outcome of the upcoming, related coronavirus relief package vote in the House, and ask that in future legislation lawmakers ensure that nonprofits with over 500 employees who currently are not eligible for SBA zero-interest loans and other funds also are provided with speedy alternative funding sources. We are seeing firsthand how people’s lives throughout America are depending on needed measures like these during this difficult time.”

For further information or additional comment from Charlotte Haberaecker, contact Jen Beltz at (202) 499-5846.

About Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America is the national network of Lutheran social ministry organizations — connecting over 300 health and human services nonprofit service providers located throughout the country. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s largest nonprofits, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $22 billion in annual revenue and over 250,000 member employees. Together, the network lifts up the nation’s most vulnerable people from children to seniors — making a difference in the lives of one in 50 Americans every year. To learn more, please visit www.lutheranservices.org.

Comments & Statements Comments to CMS on its Request For Information on Establishing Mandatory Minimum Staffing Requirements at SNFs

June 3, 2022

Lutheran Services in America submitted comments urging CMS to reconsider establishing mandatory minimum staffing requirements at SNFs in order to protect access to care for older adults.

Comments & Statements - DisabilityComments & Statements Statement for the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing entitled “An Economy That Cares: The Importance of Home-Based Care.”

March 30, 2022

Lutheran Services in America-Disability Network urged the Committee to provide long-term funding to help expand access to home and community-based services and address the direct care workforce crisis.

Comments & Statements Statement from Lutheran Services in America Urging Support for Equitable Access to High-Quality, Affordable Health Care

November 11, 2020

As the United States Supreme Court deliberates the California v. Texas and Texas v. California lawsuits which could fully overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Lutheran Services in America President and CEO Charlotte Haberaecker emphasizes the national network’s support for ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care – regardless of their income, race, gender, faith or ZIP code.

 

“While the ACA is not perfect, the protections it has instituted for underserved groups have greatly increased their ability to access much-needed health care especially important during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. At this vital time, given our longtime commitment as a faith-based organization to meeting the health and human services needs of all people, we urge Congress and the Administration to safeguard in federal law protections for these populations throughout America.

 

“Every day, Lutheran Services in America’s 300 health and human service member organizations serve one in 50 Americans ranging from older adults and children, youth and families, to people with disabilities, veterans and people of all ages experiencing homelessness. All of these populations are better served by legal provisions that make obtaining and maintaining quality, accessible and equitable health care coverage easier – including the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, Medicaid coverage expansion, and the prohibition of discrimination based on health status.”

 

Haberaecker added that complete repeal of the existing law would mean loss of access to high-quality, affordable health care for populations served by Lutheran Services in America’s members in the following ways:

  • Almost 13 million low-income adults who became newly eligible for Medicaid under the ACA would lose their health insurance and access to treatment for chronic conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders.
  • Up to 133 million people with pre-existing health conditions — 51 percent of all Americans — could become uninsurable.
  • About 1.5 million children would lose Medicaid coverage based on changes to eligibility rules, as would people aged 19 to 26 formerly in foster care.
  • State options to provide some new types of community-based, long-term care for nearly 500,000 seniors and people with disabilities would end, potentially causing those beneficiaries to return to institutions for care.
  • States would lose the ability to conduct Medicaid eligibility determinations using new, streamlined processes, presenting a challenge given the technological changes they’ve made to comply with the new ACA rules.

For further information, contact Christopher Findlay at (202) 499-5833 or cfindlay@lutheranservices.org, or Sarah Dobson at (202) 499-5832 or sdobson@lutheranservices.org.

Comments & Statements Statement from Lutheran Services in America Affirming Support for Equitable Access to High-Quality, Affordable Health Care

June 17, 2021

Following the decision of the United States Supreme Court to dismiss the California v. Texas lawsuit which could have fully overturned the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Lutheran Services in America President and CEO Charlotte Haberaecker emphasizes the national network’s support for ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care – regardless of their income, race, gender, faith or ZIP code.

 

“While the ACA is not perfect, the protections it has instituted for underserved groups have greatly increased their ability to access much-needed health care especially important during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. At this vital time, given our longtime commitment as a faith-based organization to meeting the health and human services needs of all people, we are pleased to see protections for these populations preserved in federal law.

 

“Every day, Lutheran Services in America’s 300 health and human services member organizations serve one in 50 Americans ranging from older adults and children, youth and families, to people with disabilities, veterans, and people of all ages experiencing homelessness. All of these people are better served by legal provisions that make obtaining and maintaining quality, accessible, and equitable health care coverage easier – including Medicaid coverage expansion, the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, and the prohibition of discrimination based on health status. We encourage lawmakers and the Administration to commit to doing even more to protect the health of all Americans.”

 

For further information, contact Christopher Findlay at (202) 499-5833 or cfindlay@lutheranservices.org, or Sarah Dobson at (202) 499-5832 or sdobson@lutheranservices.org.

Comments & Statements Comments to the Department of Health and Human Services on Oklahoma’s Medicaid waiver proposal

June 25, 2020

Urging the Department not to approve the harmful proposal, which includes per capita caps and work requirements, among other detrimental elements.
**UPDATE: On August 11, following a successful state ballot initiative in June to add Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act to the state constitution, the Oklahoma state Medicaid director asked to withdraw the state’s waiver proposal.

Comments & Statements Statement for Senate Finance Committee hearing on Unemployment Insurance

June 9, 2020

From Charlotte Haberaecker, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America

 

On behalf of the one in 50 Americans who rely on the 300 Lutheran health and human services providers throughout the United States that comprise Lutheran Services in America, thank you for considering our statement at this important time. With our active presence in over 1,400 communities in 45 states as seen on this map, our work is critically important in improving the lives of America’s most vulnerable people, ranging from seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to children, youth and families, and the homeless.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affects all of the people we serve and services we provide. Our 300 health and human service organizations are on the front lines caring for people while taking extraordinary steps to protect their staff and people served. Yet they increasingly struggle with equipment shortages, especially personal protective equipment; severe workforce shortages necessitating hazard pay; declining revenue; and the need to reduce or eliminate needed services. These severe challenges are occurring while our organizations simultaneously face limited cash reserves, decreasing revenue and already-tight margins.

 

Our work is deeply embedded in communities across the country where we have provided services for over 150 years. Yet our work—which comprises a significant part of the health and human services delivery system—cannot continue without specific measures taken soon to support nonprofit health and human service organizations. Without needed resources to support our work during this time of crisis, we will be unable to meet the increasing needs of individuals and communities at their most vulnerable time. One specific resource that is direly needed is an increase in the federal unemployment insurance reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits (also known as “reimbursing employers”) to 100% of costs.

 

Since 1972 when nonprofit organizations were required to provide unemployment benefits to their employees for the first time, 501c3 charitable nonprofits were given the option to opt out of the State Unemployment Tax system and have been permitted by Congress to self-insure claims for unemployment benefits by paying back the state unemployment trust fund for benefits paid to their former employees. These “reimbursing employers” include nonprofits, state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes that follow the law by electing to make payments in lieu of contributions to state unemployment trust funds.

 

As currently enacted into law, Section 2103 of the CARES Act provides that the federal government will cover 50 percent of the cost of claims charged to these reimbursing employers.  This will subject self-funded nonprofits throughout the country to crippling payments to their state unemployment systems later this year, while other employers will likely experience little or no additional costs resulting from mass COVID-19-related layoffs. The impacts will be realMany nonprofits will be hit with a bill for reimbursement to states at a time when the demand for services is highest.

 

Seventy-five percent of payroll costs in the nonprofit sector are paid out by “reimbursing employers.”  Together, these organizations provide much of the infrastructure that we rely on to serve people in all our communities. Addressing this issue by providing 100% reimbursement for these nonprofits will help ensure that they will be able to better direct their limited resources to serving vulnerable people through the care and services they provide every day.

Comments & Statements Small Business Administration comments on the “interim final rule” for the Paycheck Protection Program

May 15, 2020

Letters - DisabilityLetters Letter to President Biden commending his support for home and community-based services in the State of the Union Address.

March 22, 2022

Lutheran Services in America-Disability Network joined a coalition of disability and aging organizations to thank President Biden for highlighting the need to expand home and community-based services in the State of the Union Address and call on policymakers to provide long-term funding to expand services.