Efforts to increase Medicaid reimbursement continue but it appears SB 1050 will not be the means.
The Senate Finance Committee heard the bill, which would draw down federal funds to create a quality program for nursing home providers, on April 15 with several THCA members testifying.
The bill’s author, Senator Bryan Hughes, was called back to the committee a week later to answer questions.
While the THCA team at the Capitol is confident that they have the votes on the committee needed to pass the bill, no vote has been called or is expected to be called by the committee chair, Senator Jane Nelson.
More than 39,000 messages were sent to legislators in support of SB 1050 and nearly 1,000 of those went to Senator Nelson.
With under a month left in this legislative session, THCA is working on other options, such as amending other bills or getting funding from the state budget conference committee.
“We are disappointed and frustrated that SB 1050 has not been brought up for a vote,” THCA President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement to members. “We feel that our author, our lobby team, and all our members and supporters who contacted their legislators had made a great case for it. Nevertheless, be assured that we will continue doing all we can to get the needed funding from the Legislature this session.”
THCA is emphasizing to legislators the need to address long term care funding this and not leave seniors behind.
The Legislative Session ends on May 27 and bills must have been approved in both chambers by May 22.