ST. PAUL – House Democrats on Thursday are expected to pass their Health and Human Services Finance bill (H.F. 2414) which increases health care costs, cuts funding to nursing homes and fails to prevent rampant fraud in Minnesota’s child care and other public programs.
The bill includes an extension of the health care provider tax that will add more than $2.5 billion to the cost of Minnesotans’ health care over the next four years, and includes changes to nursing home reimbursement rates that result in $68 million in cuts to Minnesota nursing facilities. The bill also fails to extend Minnesota’s reinsurance program, which could cause premium rates to skyrocket next year.
“It is really disappointing that, with a state budget surplus of $1 billion, the majority is looking at cutting nursing home funding and extending taxes on health care,” said Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck. “It’s hard to fathom why they would be looking to raise health care taxes when I think we all agree there is a real need to reduce health care costs. This bill needs a lot of work before it comes back up for a vote on final approval.”
Anderson said the bill also includes minimal changes to combat rampant fraud in public programs. Republican efforts to strengthen program integrity, prevent fraud, and increase penalties for fraudsters were blocked.
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