Haven't the elderly been taxed enough in their lives?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Recently, I sent the following to our Southern Maryland legislators. The citizens of Southern Maryland need to know what our legislators are considering to fund the 2011 Maryland budget:

When the state said it wouldn't raise taxes this year, I guess the frail elderly living in nursing facilities were not included. As the administrator of St. Mary's Nursing Center, I am greatly concerned over a proposal by the state to increase a tax, known as the "quality assessment fee," on the elderly living in nursing facilities.

Don't let the name fool you. This assessment has nothing to do with quality and is instead a funding gimmick to enable the state to receive additional federal funds by taxing every nursing home bed in the state. The state will then use this money to close its budget deficit.

Because of this gimmick, residents in St. Mary's Nursing Center would end up paying almost $50,000 more to the state each year. The brunt of this tax will be imposed on those who pay for their own care rather than rely on federal and state assistance. No tax increase should mean no tax increase for all Marylanders. Haven't we taxed our elderly enough during their lifetime? Legislators should stand up for the elderly and reject this proposal.

Donald E. Lewis, Leonardtown

The writer is administrator of St. Mary's

Nursing Center.