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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
HOUSE CONSIDERING FUNDING BOOST FOR NURSING HOMES
On both a professional and a personal level, I feel passionate about our friends and family members who reside in nursing homes. Other than our children, these residents are the most vulnerable, and rely almost totally on others to take care of their physical, emotional and social needs.
Over the past few years, the state has backed away from its support for these critical long-term care facilities. First, the state legislature froze the payment rates to nursing homes because of the budget deficit. In addition, another $32 million was trimmed from payments nursing homes traditionally received. An accounting firm reported at the time that one in four of Minnesota's 402 nursing homes is at risk of closing because of financial losses. In the past ten years, well over 30 have closed, with as many as six more at risk before the end of the year.
Nursing home staff have paid a price, as well. After three years without even an inflationary pay increase, in 2005 we succeeded in giving them a cost of living adjustment. Still, their wages lag behind those of hospital staff and other caregivers. As the result, nursing homes cite the inability to retain good staff as one of their top challenges. Those who do remain assume greater responsibility for an increasing number of residents.
Last week, I introduced the central long-term health care bill in the House for the 2007 session. It has broad bipartisan support and is considered to be one of the top priorities for both parties.
This legislation will provide a five percent funding increase for long-term care providers in both 2007 and 2008. Seventy-five percent of this increase is earmarked for direct care workers, with the remaining 25 percent given to the provider.
In addition, the bill addresses the disparity in reimbursement rates to metro nursing homes as compared to those of rural nursing homes. This gap in funding has not been adjusted since 1983, when a metro, rural and deep rural payment structure was created. As the result, metro nursing home reimbursement rates continue to rise, with rural homes receiving less and less.
This legislation is supported by Seniors and Workers for Quality, a coalition of numerous advocacy and labor organizations statewide including: AARP; Alzheimer's Association; ElderCare Rights Alliance; League of Women Voters; Minnesota Adult Day Services Association; Minnesota Nurses Association; National Association of Social Workers; and the Union Coalition of Long Term Care Workers (UFCW, SEIU, AFSCME, USWA, UNITE HERE!).
The men and women who care for our loved ones residing in nursing homes are compassionate caretakers who recognize the value and importance of helping our seniors live out their lives with dignity and self-respect. They deserve to be paid adequately for their efforts. We need to keep them on the job without asking them to sacrifice their own opportunity to make a good living. I am very optimistic that my colleagues in the House will join me in passing this legislation, restoring our state's commitment to our nursing homes, and to our loved ones who live there.
Please continue to contact me with your feedback and questions. I can be reached at (651) 296-8237, 551 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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