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| Date: | May 16, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| NURSING HOMES FEES TO RECEIVE PROVISIONAL CRISIS STATUS Governor signs Rosen bill to allow commissioner to grant disaster waiver |
(ST. PAUL) – A bill sponsored by Senator Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) to give the state health commissioner authority to approve an inactive status for nursing home beds during a flood or other natural disaster is now law.
The measure, which earned bipartisan support, also allows nursing facilities to “layaway” nursing home beds and not pay some bed fees during crisis times. It was supported by the New Richland Care Center which experienced a natural disaster with the flooding last spring. As a result of the flooding, the care center had to maintain 50 active beds without residents and pay the nursing home surcharge for three months, resulting in considerable financial loss.
Previous law does not allow any change in fees when beds are left unused or evacuated in the event of a natural disaster. Rosen said the mandate that the nursing facilities pay the nursing home surcharge on any open and inactive beds is unfair and costly.
“This measure allows flexibility for nursing facilities in a time of hardship and natural disaster, and provides them with much needed help when they are struggling,” Rosen said. In allowing the layaway of the beds, nursing facilities that have to close temporarily would not have to pay the nursing facility bed fee.
