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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |
State Rep. Jim Wansacz |
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Wansacz introduces plan to regulate payment rates
for nursing homes
HARRISBURG, May 1 – State Rep. Jim Wansacz has introduced legislation to amend a law passed in 2005 regarding state payments to nursing homes.
Wansacz, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Susquehanna/Wyoming, said the current law (Act 42 of 2005) allows the state Department of Public Welfare to set its own payment rates for nursing homes without being subject to the regulatory review process.
“Without a regulatory review, payments have been reduced and capped to nursing facilities, proving costly for the nursing homes responsible for the care of some of our state’s most vulnerable residents,” Wansacz said. “I think it is the responsibility of the legislature to ensure that these homes have the resources they need to care for our seniors.”
Wansacz’s bill (H.B. 1162) would direct DPW to revert to the rate-setting methodology it used prior to 2005. In order to institute future rate changes, DPW would be required to use an established regulatory process.
Wansacz said this is the second bill he has introduced in this session to revise payment rates for nursing homes. The first (H.B. 1124) would limit the disparity between reimbursement rates for some homes based on geographic location.
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