REP. KIEL: DFL BUDGET HITS RURAL NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS
House Democrats are cutting nursing homes and taxing hospitals, even with $3 billion in new revenue
St. Paul – State Representative Deb Kiel, R-Roseau, today joined with over 30 rural legislators urging Democrat majorities to re-evaluate their priorities and reverse $26 million in cuts to nursing homes that will put rural senior living centers at risk of shutting down.
Rep. Kiel explained that, even while proposing to increase over $3 billion in taxes and fees on hardworking Minnesotans, House Democrats are proposing to cut Health and Human Services (HHS) by $150 million and taxing hospitals to make up the difference. Rep. Kiel said this tax increase will hit rural hospitals especially hard.
“The consequences of these proposals are very real for rural Minnesota. We understand that when a nursing home or a hospital closes, our communities and our families suffer,” Rep. Kiel said. “We learned this first-hand when the nursing home in Erskine closed its doors, and loved ones had no other option than to seek long-term care hours away.”
Kiel continued: “It’s shameful that when legislators from Minneapolis and St. Paul propose to increase $3 billion in new revenue and spend additional taxpayer money on every other area of the budget, they propose to cut precious resources for our most vulnerable and put rural communities at risk.”
Under the House DFL’s bill, hospitals in the area are at risk of losing the following funding:
-
Riverview Healthcare Association in Crookston: -$269,482.54
-
First Care Medical Services in Fosston: -$75,837.41
-
Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls: -$247,252.38
-
North Valley Health Center in Warren: -$41,476.17
In addition, the aging advocacy group Minnesota Long-Term Care Imperative states that 47 percent of nursing homes in Northwestern Minnesota could be at risk of closing. Rep. Kiel said the new HHS cuts could push them over the edge.
“Non-partisan advocates have told us nursing homes would be better off without this bill, and would prefer to keep the current operating budget put in place by Republicans in 2011,” Rep. Kiel said. “I urge my colleagues across the aisle to reconsider their HHS budget. After a lifetime of working, raising families, and contributing to the success of our nation, our senior citizens deserve comfort and dignity in their retirement years—not empty promises.”
-30-