Minnesota seniors could see shifting costs and decreased services.
Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph) sponsors
HF3442, which proposes funding cuts and fee increases for long-term care providers as part of an effort to reduce the state deficit. The bill would also phase out the state’s rate equalization law, which prohibits nursing facilities from charging private pay residents more than residents on Medical Assistance. The repeal of the equalization law would mean facilities could set their own rates for private pay residents by 2013.
“In all honesty, it pains me to have this bill before us and to be an author of this bill,” Hosch told the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee March 11. He said he introduced the legislation to spur discussion on how to “spread some pain to those who are most able to address it.”
The committee approved the bill and sent to the House Health Care and Human Services Finance Division, which held it over March 17 for possible omnibus bill inclusion. It has no Senate companion.
Under Hosch’s bill, nursing assistants and personal care assistants would be required to pay an annual $50 registration fee; assisted living facilities would see their licensing fees increase as reimbursement rates decrease; and some Medical Assistance patients would have restricted access to personal care assistance services.
“This bill will negatively impact every portion of the spectrum of older adult services, leaving Minnesota in a worse position to provide care and services to our seniors,” said Kari Thurlow, vice president of advocacy for Aging Services of Minnesota. However, Thurlow and several others who testified against the bill said repealing rate equalization would be a good thing for cash-strapped nursing homes.
Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) said she is concerned repealing rate equalization would prompt more people to “play the game” of spending down savings or transferring assets to get on Medical Assistance and avoid higher out-of-pocket costs.
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Saying ‘sorry’
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At Issue: Cuts hang in the balance
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