By Christine Russell

Los Altos senior health workers joined a statewide demonstration last week to protest possible cuts in Medi-Cal funding that could leave hundreds of local seniors without nursing care.

The Los Altos Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center turned off its lights for 10 minutes in front of a 100-plus crowd to symbolize the threat to nursing homes posed by the state budget crisis.

More than 200 nursing homes statewide turned off their lights simultaneously

If state officials use the 15 percent proposed cuts to alleviate the California budget crisis, nursing homes throughout California will be in danger of closing, said Tracie Murray, administrator and CEO of the center.

“There are 152 beds at the Los Altos Sub-Acute and Rehab Center. A hundred to 130 of those people will have nowhere to go. If they close these (nursing homes), these people will be out on the street, (but) they need the acute care offered here,” said former resident Tom Pearl.

Centers that are not forced to close right away will still feel the effects. At Julia Convalescent Hospital in Mountain View, Nursing Administrator Ed Basa said that 77, or 85 percent, of the center’s 91 resident are Medi-Cal recipients.

Medi-Cal is a federal- and state-funded program that assists the elderly, disabled and low-income families and qualified individuals with medical expenses. It provides up to full coverage for hospital and doctor bills, prescription drugs, nursing home care and many other medical costs.

“All nursing homes that accept Medi-Cal funding would be at jeopardy of closure or giving up the Medi-Cal program,” Murray said.

Jeannette Marinovich, whose mother has been a resident at the Los Altos Sub-Acute since last October, said that she would probably have to bring her mother to live at home with her.

“I don’t know how to take care of her. It would be difficult,” Marinovich said.