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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Nursing Homes suffer under budget proposals
When we speak of health care it is important to keep in mind some of our most vulnerable and cherished family members - those who reside in nursing homes. They rely almost totally on others to take care of them physically, as well as tending to their emotional and social needs.
Not too long ago, an accounting firm for the nursing home industry reported that one in four of Minnesota's 402 nursing homes is at risk of closing because of financial losses. Nine in Minnesota closed last year alone, more than 30 in the past ten years.
The state legislature froze the payment rates to nursing homes two years ago because of a massive budget deficit. In addition, another $32 million was trimmed from other nursing home payments.
In Austin, St. Mark's Lutheran Home lost roughly $162,000 as a result of the legislation passed in 2003. Losses at Sacred Heart Care Center, Inc. amounted to $66,000, Comforcare Good Samaritan Center lost $62,000 and Grand Meadow lost roughly $66,000. These cuts are not easy to recover from.
In his proposal for 2005, the Governor wants to eliminate an annual inflation adjustment that about 75% of the nursing homes in the state are currently entitled to receive. Instead, that money will be used to provide a 2% increase in the first year of the biennium. The end result is that payments to nursing homes will fall further and further behind inflation, making it increasingly more difficult to provide quality care.
We just voted on the Omnibus Health Finance Bill in the House. I opposed this bill, for many reasons, one of them being the inadequate funding for nursing homes. Although it appropriates $67,790 million to provide rate increases for nursing homes and other long-term care providers, $19 million of that increase is offset by ignoring inflation when calculating the reimbursement rate for most nursing homes. As a result, most nursing homes in the state will see a net rate increase of only about 0.46% per year.
The staff members at our area nursing homes are dedicated and compassionate. They care deeply about the residents and strive to meet their needs. These cuts have had a big impact on them. There are fewer staff persons with greater responsibility and greater numbers for whom to care. Improvements to buildings and equipment are delayed due to lack of funding. And, despite living costs that continue to rise, they have not had a pay increase in three years.
These are concerns that affect all of us. Whether we currently have family members receiving this level of care, or could face this in the future, we need to pay attention. Our nursing homes cannot take another round of cuts without hurting the residents who depend on them. We need to find a better way.
Minnesota Housing Finance Authority approves money for Mower County
I recently received notification that the Minnesota Housing Finance Authority has approved an award of $100,000 to the Austin/Mower County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
The money will be used to flood proof and rehabilitate 20 owner-occupied flood damaged homes located in Austin and surrounding areas in Mower County.
I understand that there was a lot of competition for this funding, with 19 proposals out of 45 receiving awards. The money will be offered in the form of deferred loans on the average about $5,000 each, made available after Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds have been exhausted. Even though the flood seems like a long time ago, there are many homes in our area that are still dealing with the aftermath and struggling to make the necessary repairs. I'm pleased more homeowners will receive assistance with those costs.
Please feel free to call or write if you have ideas or concerns you want to share about state or local issues. I can be reached by phone at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 231 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at the above address. If you are interested in receiving my e-newsletter, please email me at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn and your name will be added to our list.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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