BILL TO PROTECT MAINE NURSING HOMES BECOMES LAW

Senator Craven’s legislation to prevent closure of 5 nursing homes

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Democratic Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston to keep Maine’s nursing homes solvent became law today without Governor LePage’s signature.

“I am delighted that our seniors will be cared for adequately, and that our nursing homes can receive appropriate pay for the services they provide,” said Senator Craven.  “Their pay hasn’t been adjusted in eight years. Five facilities that would have closed before the end of June will now have the resources to continue to serve our senior citizens.”

Last year, the Legislature established the Commission to Study Long-term Care Facilities, and Senator Craven served as Senate Chair.  The commission met over the summer and fall of 2013, and worked to address many of the issues facing long-term care facilities, including inadequate funding, staffing and regulatory requirements, and lack of access to nursing facility services in rural and urban areas.  The Commission developed recommendations and secured $5 million to implement the proposals.

The Legislature’s budget funded $10 million for the next two years, starting on July 1. This funding along with the funding under LD 1776 will draw down more than $25 million in federal funding.

Their recommendations became LD 1776, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Study Long-term Care Facilities.” The law is an emergency measure and takes effect immediately.

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