12/01/2022

Ohio House amends nursing facility relief into SB 110

This afternoon, Representative Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) proposed an amendment which would increase reimbursement for nursing facilities by $615 million, infusing a much-needed boost into an ailing sector. The amendment was included in Senate Bill (SB) 110, a bill pertaining to rental and utility assistance. SB 110 was reported out of Finance Committee this afternoon and subsequently voted out of the House. 

The $615 million is the cost of rebasing the Medicaid nursing facility formula to 2021 cost reports, according to the latest data available; funds would be distributed by 40% of funds going out via the base rate and 60% being distributed based on the quality incentive payment.  

Also amended to the bill was language from HB466, a bill that would license healthcare staffing agencies in Ohio. 

The bill will move back to the Senate, where differences between the bills will most likely be reconciled in conference committee. LeadingAge Ohio will send an alert to all membership tomorrow detailing the contents of both proposals. 

Questions may be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org.