ST. PAUL, MN—On Wednesday, House Democrats are expected to hold a press conference to discuss their HHS Finance bill, which clocks in at an astonishing 998 pages. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, issued the following statement regarding the bill.
"This bill will raise health care costs, cut funding for nursing homes, and cause premium rates to skyrocket next year," Daudt said. "It's 998 pages worth of broken promises and harmful policies."
The bill includes an extension of the provider tax that will increase the cost of health care by $1 billion over the next two years, and includes changes to nursing home reimbursement rates that result in cuts to about half of Minnesota's nursing facilities. Various advocacy groups testified against the proposed cuts during yesterday's committee hearing. The bill also fails to extend Minnesota's reinsurance program, which could cause premium rates to skyrocket next year.
"House Republicans have always prioritized Minnesota seniors, and will oppose harmful cuts to nursing homes," added Rep. Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, Republican lead on the House Health and Human Services Division. With a $1 billion surplus and Democrats proposing billions in tax increases, there's no excuse to be cutting funding for nursing homes."
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