Sen. Baldacci introduces bill to help nursing homes hurt by COVID-19 pandemic

AUGUSTA — On Monday, Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, introduced a bill to help Maine nursing homes that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. LD 873, “Resolve, To Waive Reductions to Nursing Facility Reimbursement Resulting from Payroll Protection Program Loans and Grants,” was the subject of a public hearing in the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. 

“Maine’s nursing homes have been hit incredibly hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the early months when we were still trying to get a handle on how to best protect our most at-risk residents. Nursing home staff had to adjust to increased safety protocols, while trying to keep their patients’ spirits up,” said Sen. Baldacci. “This bill would simply take one step to help our nursing homes when they need it the most.”

LD 873 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to waive any reduction or adjustment to allowable MaineCare costs on filed or audited cost reports that would result from a loan or grant received under the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Maine Health Care Association testified in favor of the bill.

The bill faces further work in committee.