With our budget targets in place, we have now hit the point in session where Minnesota House finance committees are putting in long hours at the Capitol as we craft major spending bills and hear testimony on these proposals.
The health and human services finance committee on which I serve has been working well into the evenings lately hearing many specific bills. This is necessary in order for the committee to determine which initiatives will make the cut as we craft a comprehensive spending plan over the next two years.
Know that on this committee, and really on any spending matters that come before the House, I am using my voice for fiscal responsibility and keeping the budget under control. But I am also pushing for prioritized spending, and in our health and human services committee we are doing that by recognizing the needs of those who care for our elderly.
A major component of this bill provides real reform to nursing homes by implementing a statewide rate of reimbursement; improving the wages of care providers; and providing a permanent solution to statewide nursing home needs. Under this proposal, care centers in our district would see a direct financial benefit.
For example, the annual change in Medicaid and the estimated private revenue for the 2016 rate year would lead to more than $1.5 million being appropriated to the Gables of Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights. In Stillwater, it would mean nearly $1.2 million more for the Good Samaritan Society, $411,000 for the Golden LivingCenter – Linden and $403,000 for the Golden LivingCenter – Greeley.
The number of aging Minnesotans needing personal care is expected to increase annually until the year 2035 – a so-called silver tsunami. It's important for us to begin addressing this issue and I believe our health and human services finance bill does just that.
This week, the Minnesota House also approved a few provisions that protect your Second Amendment rights. Unlike last session where inner-city lawmakers brought forward gun control measures, I was pleased to see the new House majority recognize that there is no reason to punish law abiding gun owners for legally carrying a handgun at the Capitol or using a suppressor in order to protect their hearing while hunting.
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.