Next week it will be the Democrats’ turn to offer their visions of the future for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as other issues that would significantly affect long-term care operators. Expected at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina is at least some degree of chest thumping over actions compelled by the Affordable Care Act, the reform law often referred to as “Obamacare.” Republicans this week adopted a platform that would significantly alter the way Medicaid and Medicare funds would be distributed. The stakes could be huge for LTC operators: Together, the programs currently pay about 75% of U.S. long-term care costs.