Connecticut Senate Bill SB00875

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/17
• Refer: 2/22/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Right-sizing, Rebalancing And Repurposing Nursing Facilities For The Twenty-first Century.

Impact

The bill is set to modify existing statutes regarding how nursing homes are reimbursed by Medicaid, facilitating a system that is expected to enhance service delivery within these facilities. By embracing flexibility in service provision, particularly for individuals requiring different levels of care, the legislation is likely to help in meeting the state's long-term care demands more effectively. Moreover, it provides nursing homes with the ability to adjust their bed capacities without extensive regulatory hurdles, which may promote better resource management.

Summary

SB00875, titled 'An Act Concerning Right-sizing, Rebalancing And Repurposing Nursing Facilities For The Twenty-first Century', aims to address the evolving needs of nursing home facilities within the state. By implementing an acuity-based methodology for Medicaid reimbursement, the bill seeks to ensure that financial support for nursing facilities corresponds more accurately to the care needs of residents. This new approach requires the Commissioner of Social Services to develop a thoughtful reimbursement strategy, taking into account existing nationwide frameworks and input from industry stakeholders.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SB00875. Critics might argue that the shift towards an acuity-based reimbursement structure could create disparities in care provision among facilities, where those better equipped to adapt to new reimbursement requirements could benefit disproportionately. Additionally, the flexibility granted to nursing homes in adjusting their bed capacities may raise concerns about the potential for reducing available services in specific regions, impacting vulnerable populations that rely on these facilities for critical long-term care.