Jan. 27, 2016
HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote, the House today approved legislation, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Killion (R-Delaware), which would repeal a law that threatens the existence of county nursing homes, such as Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Media.
Under current law, county nursing homes are required to pay 10 percent of the non-federal cost of services for Medicaid residents cared for in those facilities. This amounts to about $20 million annually.
There is no such requirement for private nursing facilities.
House Bill 1062 would relieve the burden on county homes, freeing up the funds they generate to aid those counties struggling with high Medicaid populations and low Medicaid reimbursement rates. The cost to county homes had been covered previously through intergovernmental transfers, but that process was phased out several years ago, leaving county nursing homes to shoulder the entire burden.
“A growing number of county homes have been sold or privatized over the past few years, and it has been a struggle for those that remain to stay afloat and to find suitable long-term skilled care,” said Killion. “County homes are required to accept seniors in need, making them an important safety net for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable and needy individuals. Eliminating the county share requirement would provide the relief necessary to enable counties to retain their county homes and continue serving those most in need. In Delaware County, House Bill 1062 would save Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Media about $1.4 million annually,” he said.
Killion’s bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Thomas Killion
168th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
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