ST. PAUL—State Representative Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, said the Minnesota House majority’s plan to cut $26 million dollars next biennium from senior living has rural nursing homes very concerned. Over two dozen members from the GOP’s Rural Caucus participated in a press conference Monday to highlight the proposed cuts, and called on House Democrats to fully fund the promises made to Minnesota seniors.
“With nearly $3 billion in new taxes and fees in the Democrats’ proposed budget, we ask the majorities to prioritize our Greatest Generation and fully fund nursing homes using sustainable, stable funding sources,” said Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls.
Kresha explained that nursing homes have been forced to do more with less for years, and now the DFL’s misprioritized budget cuts will jeopardize 115 senior living facilities, 15,000 long-term care workers, and countless rural communities.
“Few things would hit families in Greater Minnesota harder than the closing of a local nursing home or senior care center. I’m disappointed that with double-digit increases in many budget areas that the majority is choosing to cut Health and Human Services funding, including $26 million dollars from our seniors.”
Kresha said that House Democrats are claiming an increase in nursing home funding in their budget, but he explained that the “increase” actually amounts to a net cut of $26 million dollars in the 2014-2015 biennium baseline. He went on to say that $26 million dollars, at minimum, was needed to maintain current service levels at nursing home and senior care facilities across the state.