On February 21, GNYHA's Center for Continuing Care met with White House Health Policy Advisor Doug Badger about targeted Medicare relief for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), because of the failure of the SNF prospective payment system (PPS) to cover the full amount of capital costs incurred by many facilities that have undertaken recent construction projects. Over 4,000 facilities across the nation sustain losses as a result of this flaw, with over 50 of them losing more than $275,000 per year. GNYHA has been promoting an amendment on Capitol Hill and with key Administration officials that would address this problem in the PPS. Also on February 21, GNYHA's Center for Continuing Care took part in a press conference, hosted by Citizens for Long Term Care, calling on President Bush and Congress to pass urgent State Medicaid relief. Calling for immediate relief, GNYHA stressed that "strong national leadership is needed to ensure that states receive the fiscal relief necessary to preserve quality long term care services for our most vulnerable citizens." Also participating were AARP, the Alzheimer's Association, 1199/SEIU, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, American Health Care Association, The Arc of the United States, and American Network of Community Options and Resources.