August 28, 2023
This legislation will make days spent in observation count towards Medicare’s three-day inpatient stay requirement for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coverage.
August 28, 2023
The legislation raises the volunteer mileage rate to the standard business mileage rate for volunteers who drive their vehicles on behalf of charitable nonprofits to transport property or individuals.
August 28, 2023
Lutheran Services in America responded to the Committee’s request for Information on the drivers of health care workforce shortages and ideas for potential solutions.
August 28, 2023
Lutheran Services in America joined other national organizations to urge Congress to support robust funding to meet the affordable housing needs of older adults in Fiscal Year 2024.
August 28, 2023
The bill creates 250K housing vouchers, paired with mobility-related services (counseling, case management), targeted to families with young children to help them move to neighborhoods with good-performing schools, childcare, or early education programs. The text is identical to last year’s version, except that the bill now funds 250K vouchers (down from 500K, unfortunately).
August 28, 2023
Lutheran Services in America joined other partners to send USCIS a letter urging them to consider operational methods to save costs rather than increasing costs for the same level of service and more alternatives to reduce the need for applicants to contact USCIS.
August 14, 2023
Lutheran Services in America submitted comments on the update to the regulations governing the Older Americans Act.
July 10, 2023
Lutheran Services in America submitted comments urging CMS to support regular rate reviews and competitive wages for direct service providers (DSPs) within the current payment model, not to mandate that 80% of Medicaid reimbursement for personal care, home health aides and other DSPs be spent on DSP compensation.
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.
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.
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