Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jason Rarick (R)

Back to profile

REP. RARICK AUTHORS BILL TO IMPROVE LOCAL NURSING HOME REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Monday, February 16, 2015

ST. PAUL – One of the biggest challenges our nursing homes face is retaining quality employees, which is why State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) is authoring legislation that would bring fairness to the nursing home reimbursement rate formula.

“We are surrounded by long-term facilities in the Metro Area and Duluth that are reimbursed at higher rates, and in turn are able to offer their employees higher wages,” Rarick said. “Because of this, our local nursing homes are constantly understaffed and losing employees because they can’t compete.”

Rarick’s bill would rectify this unfairness by raising the reimbursement rates for long term care facilities in Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Isanti, and Chisago counties. By creating a level playing field, Rarick believes the ultimate winners will not only be the area nursing home workforce, but the people they care for.

“There are other bills that will attempt to create reimbursement fairness throughout the state, but I’m moving forward with this legislation to ensure our area is covered,” Rarick said. “We know our population is aging, and we need these facilities to succeed. We want our family members close to home so we don’t have to travel long distances to visit them.”

Rarick’s bill is currently in the Minnesota House Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee.