LINCOLN- Under an amendment drafted by Sen. Myron Dorn, Nebraska would be able to apply for higher reimbursements for patient care via the federal Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act, an endeavor that could, according to Dorn, net the state nearly $24 million in additional funding for skilled nursing facilities.

The potential extra funding comes amid skilled nursing and assisted living facility worker shortages, especially in rural parts of the state. Higher costs and lagging income have also prompted 12 nursing homes and 17 assisted living facilities to close over the past three years. These closings have left 15 of the state's 93 counties without health care facilities of some kind.

"This will help keep some of our nursing homes open in rural Nebraska," Dorn said of the amendment. Sen. Rob Clements, who chairs the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, said the amendment fits right in with a recent call from Gov. Pillen to seek additional federal funds, where available, to fund services in the state.

For the full article click HERE