House Republicans part ways with Pawlenty over nursing homes

03/17/2008

ST. PAUL (AP) -- House Republicans disagree with Governor Pawlenty's budget plans for nursing homes.

Minority Leader Marty Seifert says nursing homes were shortchanged last session and his members don't support Pawlenty's proposals to delay state aid for nursing homes and other long-term care providers.

Instead, Seifert wants to take extra dollars collected for the MinnesotaCare health plan for the working poor, and send them to nursing homes.

He says his plan for a 2 1/4 percent increase to nursing homes would cost about $30 million — an amount that would be more than covered by a surplus in the Health Care Access Fund.

Anticipating debate with Democrats over the fund's purpose, Seifert says nursing homes are the major health care providers in many communities.

Pawlenty also wants to tap the health care fund to avoid cuts in health and human services.