Page 25 - BWA FEB 2013
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February 2013
| Business World Magazine | 25
and generations, Hurlbut Care Communi-
ties has seen many changes in the industry
and have adapted quite well to them. A re-
cent challenge, for example, has been the
reforms to New York’s Medicaid program,
which cut costs by reducing reimbursements
to facilities like Hurlbut’s. “In Upstate New
York, I’m only getting 75 percent of my costs
per Medicaid client,” he says.
Another regulatory challenge for
Hurlbut is the Patient Protection and Af-
fordable Care Act, because they are uncer-
tain of its ramifications going forward. “If
the federal government is unwilling to fund
the states beyond 2016, that means the state
is going to have to do it. If they have budget
deficits like they do now, they come after the
providers,” Robert says. “It’s a huge problem
and it’s got to be addressed.”
Looking ahead to the long-term, Rob-
ert wants to see the legacy of the Hurlbut
name carry into a fourth generation with his
two sons. Right now he wants them to know
there is a business for them.
The future of the organization and
their services will also hinge upon what the
needs of the community are. They aren’t re-
sistant to change when change is needed, will
continue to embrace new ways of providing
care. “I’ve always felt that I never say no to a
new idea, I always say maybe.”
Determinations, once again, depend
greatly on understanding what is benefi-
cial to the people they care for, as well what
services can improve their quality of life, or
what programs will aid in their mental and
physical wellness. Hurlbut says his business
is built on an understanding of the need to
provide care for people, and to that degree,
again, this is not just a business, but a family
tradition.
