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State Representative Rod Hamilton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5373
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
HAMILTON: NURSING HOMES TO BENEFIT UNDER HOUSE HEALTH PLAN
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a $7 billion health care finance bill which attempts to crimp out-of-control growth in taxpayer-paid health care programs by tightening eligibility and setting higher co-payments.
State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) voted in favor of the bill. He said many of the reforms in the bill are necessary, but adds that the legislation increases health care spending by 15 percent in the areas that matter most.
“The goal of this legislation was to protect our most vulnerable citizens, those who need state medical assistance to survive,” Hamilton said. “Specifically, families with disabilities will receive a break through a reduction in co-pays, and our nursing homes will receive some much needed assistance.”
Hamilton is referring to a 2.26 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for nursing homes and continuing care facilities in each of the next two years.
“COLA had been frozen in recent years to help balance the budget, which is unfortunate as our long term care providers perform a great service,” Hamilton said. “These workers have earned their raise, and reestablishing the COLA shows our appreciation for their work.”
As for the health care reforms included in the bill, Hamilton said that Minnesota’s public assisted health care programs remain among the most generous in the nation, and that it is critical to at least try and manage these soaring costs.
“Health care costs are rising out of control,” Hamilton said. “If we sat around and did nothing, your state income taxes would have to double every eight years just to keep up with current health care projections.”
“Further, a recent Department of Health report showed that on average, over 1000 people per month, move to Minnesota and become welfare recipients,” Hamilton continued. “Millions of welfare dollars are spent each year on outsiders who come here for the generous welfare programs. This is the type of clientele we’re trying to remove from government assistance - illegal aliens and healthy, young adults who are childless and are capable of working. Our bill protects medical assistance for Minnesota families who face medical and physical challenges, the elderly, and our kids.”
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- REP. HAMILTON DISCUSSES MINNESOTA HOUSE FINANCE PROPOSALS - (Posted: 2011-04-15 00:00:00)
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