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

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeff Howe (R)

Back to profile

HOUSE BILL PROVIDES BOOST FOR CARE FACILITIES, WORKERS

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

ST. PAUL — Care facilities in House District 13A would receive funding increases through a Health and Human Services omnibus bill (H.F. 1638) the House passed early Wednesday morning.

"Long-term facilities are not only provide hugely important services, but are a major component in Greater Minnesota, providing a key source of jobs in small towns around the state," said Rep. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville. "But they have been underfunded in recent years, leaving facilities struggling to keep their doors open and making it just as difficult to attract workers. I am pleased we passed legislation that would help alleviate these challenges and once again restore our care facilities and workers as priorities in Minnesota."

The House's HHS bill implements a statewide reimbursement system that will result in a funding increase for nursing homes, particularly in Greater Minnesota, totaling more than $138 million. In addition, the bill includes $90 million for a one-time, 5-percent cost-of-living adjustment for home and community-based care workers.

According to non-partisan House Research, nursing home facilities in District 13A will receive substantial increases in 2016 under the House Republican proposal, including:

  • Assumption Home, Cold Spring: $618,672 increase (12.9-percent increase)

  • Paynesville Area Hospital, Paynesville: $591,201 increase (19.2-percent increase)

The bill passed the House 72-60. It now advances to a conference committee, which will work to resolve differences between respective House and Senate HHS proposals in preparation for final passage.

 

-30-