From a recent association meeting this week, much discussion and focus of the meeting was on the medicaid resident in long term care r/t the budget and that dental, vision, podiatry will not be covered by medicaid anymore. I know..........the pressure sores, the weight loss, impaired vision, falls etc......plus using med techs to pass medications to the residents, but must have a nurse on duty. Then the old rumor to me, new to others, is to d/c the LPN/LVN programs, and grandfather the lpn's and lvn's. Due to these proposed changes, unless we have good lobbyist on our side is a cut in good certified staff, espically our CNA's. Instead of the aides handling more than they can do now, their work load will triple. And the biggest statement made by some of the top people who are in the know, was that the government is looking into d/c the MDS all together? ANd MDS cordinators will no longer be..........They feel like it is to much work/trouble to deal with. tex:(