Accessibility menu
State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
HOUSE HEALTH CARE BILL FUNDS NURSING HOMES, PROTECTS HOSPITALS
ST. PAUL, MN – Facing a $994 million budget shortfall, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Health and Human Services budget bill Tuesday night (HF2614) that reduces the deficit by $164 million this year. The bill sets clear priorities; reducing spending in many areas while increasing funding for nursing homes and long-term care facilities. It also protects Minnesota hospitals from any cuts this year.
An amendment to the bill recoups state tax dollars lost as a result of loopholes used by some Minnesota corporations.
“If you would have told me when session started that we could actually increase funding for nursing homes, I wouldn’t have believed it," said Ward. “The loopholes that allow companies to move their jobs and profits out of state to avoid paying taxes are unfair to Minnesota taxpayers and companies that pay their fair share.
By closing these loopholes, we are simply asking these businesses to participate in solving our state budget deficit.”
As a result of this amendment, nursing homes will receive a 2 percent increase in 2011 and a 1.5 percent increase in 2012/13, and cuts to mental health grants and county child protection services are reversed.
HF2614 also takes advantage of new federal health care reforms passed by Congress several months ago, leveraging $1 billion in federal funding. It does so by taking advantage of an early Medical Assistance (MA) option, replacing a General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) bill passed earlier this session. The program would adequately reimburse Minnesota hospitals for uncompensated care and provide coverage for all GAMC enrollees.
Rep. Ward said he is pleased that the bill temporarily stops the State Operated Services (SOS) redesign projects, delaying them until they can be considered and approved by the state legislature.
“What happened in Brainerd is a good example of what can happen without legislative input,” said Ward. “Despite our best efforts to be involved, SOS closed the Children and Adolescent Behavioral Health Systems (CABHS) in Brainerd two years ago. We lost jobs and critical services for kids that needed help. We cannot allow this to happen to another community.”
The health care bill also protects members of the disabled community from deep cuts proposed by the Governor, maintains MinnesotaCare coverage for adults without children that will lose their coverage under the Governor’s plan, and increases funding for rural pharmacies.
“I know the Governor will most likely veto this bill because we are asking corporations to pay state taxes instead of avoiding them through loopholes,” said Ward. “How can you tell a senior citizen who loses his room in a nursing home that’s closing, or the worker who loses her job, or the young adult who struggles with suicidal thoughts that they can’t get the help they need because we’re protecting tax evaders? That’s just not right, and I hope the Governor will agree.”
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.