ST. PAUL, MN—Representative Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, issued the following statement regarding yesterday's announced
budget agreement between House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Both leaders confirmed that the Health and Human Services budget agreement would include funding to reform nursing home reimbursement rate payments that will result in significant new funding for senior care facilities in all parts of the state, but especially in Greater Minnesota.
"I'm overjoyed that we were able to come together on a bipartisan basis to get this done for our aging loved ones," Bennett said. "These reforms will mean significant new funding to help our senior care facilities and ensure we're providing quality care for aging Minnesotans. This is going to make such a huge difference for our seniors and those who care for them."
According to
non-partisan House Research, all nursing home facilities in District 27A will receive substantial increases under the proposal included in the GOP HHS bill, including:
Field Crest Care Center—Hayfield, MN—29.17% increase, $568,846 increase in 2016
Parkview Care Center—Wells, MN—14.55% increase, 317,978 increase in 2016
Good Samaritan Society—Albert Lea, MN—32.77% increase, $1,653,007 increase in 2016
St. John's Lutheran Home—Albert Lea, MN—30.59% increase, $2,356,423 increase in 2016
Thorne Crest Retirement Center—Albert Lea, MN—21.44% increase, $551,049 increase in 2016
Prairie Manor Care Center—Blooming Praire, MN—16.18% increase, 459,452 increase in 2016
The legislature is expected to meet throughout the weekend to pass the remaining budget bills and finish by its legally-mandated deadline of midnight (11:59:59PM) on May 18.
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