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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
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HOUSE PROPOSES COLA INCREASE FOR NURSING HOMES
St. Paul, MN – State Representative Patti Fritz welcomed the news late Thursday night that a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment for nursing homes was added to the House Health and Human Services Bill.
According to Fritz, nursing homes statewide will receive this additional 2% COLA in the second year of the biennial budget. This funding is in addition to the rebasing provisions passed in last year's budget, and does not affect other long-term care facilities.
"Many nursing homes in our state are near collapse," said Fritz. "We desperately need all of them - especially with our rapidly aging population. This increased funding should help stop some of the bleeding."
The State Legislature and the Governor are working to address the state's $935 million budget deficit. In order to balance the state budget, Fritz acknowledges that some cuts are necessary, but she has been diligently working with her fellow legislators and leadership to make sure that nursing homes do not wind up on the chopping block.
"I was very disappointed when the Governor announced he wants to help balance the budget by cutting funding for long-term care facilities, and eliminating the rebasing we passed last session," said Fritz. "This is the path he went down at the time of the last budget deficit, and nursing homes have never recovered."
A few years ago, 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. Since that time, dozens of nursing have closed, especially in Greater Minnesota.
"One of our top priorities this session is to invest in a comprehensive health care system and advance much - needed reform proposals," said Fritz. "It is critical this package includes strong support for our nursing homes, and the workers who are responsible for the daily care of our elderly."
The Health and Human Services budget bill will be heard in the Finance Committee on Monday. From there it will go to the Ways and Means Committee, and is expected to be passed on the House floor within two weeks.
"This has been my number-one issue since I first came into office, and it is very gratifying to be making progress, " said Fritz. "Nursing homes are the cornerstones of our communities; the dedicated men and women who work there, and our loved ones who live there, deserve our continued support."
For more information, contact State Rep. Patti Fritz at 651-296-8237, or by email at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
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- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
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