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| Date: | May 20, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.m | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR ROSEN CHAMPIONS NURSING HOME INCREASE THAT MAY BENEFIT LOCAL CENTERS |
(ST. PAUL) – A provision that came out of the final Health & Human Services Finance bill may bring thousands in new money to local nursing facilities and is on its way to Governor Mark Dayton.
When Senate and House members assigned to work out differences between the houses’ two bills identified funds, Health & Human Services Finance Vice Chair Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) sought to have the additional funds dispersed amongst the lowest tier nursing homes to cover medical assistance reimbursement.
“In rural communities especially, our local care facilities are vital,” Rosen said. “We have worked to protect them from cuts in this tough budget, so finding additional money to help them more was a blessing."
Along with the funding, Rosen added, a commitment was made to continue to work on long-term care issues, especially those dealing with rate disparity and mandates.
The funds would benefit 68 nursing facilities, many of them in rural areas, including those in Winnebago, St. James, Fairmont, New Richland and Mapleton.
The provision is part of the $10.135 billion HHS spending bill passed by the Senate and House Wednesday.
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