Budget writers cut 5 percent from payback but decide the centers can wait until July 2005 to increase their staffs.
By Associated Press
Published April 26, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - Nursing homes in Florida will face a 5 percent cut in how much they're reimbursed to treat Medicaid patients this coming year, legislative leaders decided Saturday night.
The cuts come as nursing homes are being required to increase staff under another law passed two years ago. House and Senate budget writers also agreed Saturday to delay the staffing increase until July 2005.
The boost in nursing home staffing had been scheduled to go up next month. A 2002 law required an incremental increase in the number of certified nursing assistants - who provide the basic day-to-day care in homes - and it has widely been credited with improving care.
Tony Marshall, a lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association, which represents the nursing home industry, said the 5 percent cut in the reimbursement rate wipes out the added funds received by nursing homes to pay for the most recent staffing increase.
"They took it away less than a year later," Marshall said.
Saturday's agreement came as budget writers worked through the weekend on the final details of the state spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Only a few things remained for Senate Appropriations Chairman Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, and House budget Chairman Rep. Bruce Kyle, R-Fort Myers, to work out after the nursing home staffing and rate issues were solved. A compromise budget plan could be settled by today.
One issue that won't be settled by Pruitt and Kyle is a proposal to change the way the state's school funding formula is adjusted to deal with differing costs of living in some counties.
The Senate's plan would cost big districts such as Miami-Dade and Broward millions, while the House plan avoids those losses. The issue is a top one for Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, and it will be left for he and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, to work out.
Pruitt and Kyle had until 8 p.m. Sunday to work out as much as they can. After that, King and Byrd took over. Lawmakers could vote on the budget by Thursday. This year's legislative session is scheduled to end Friday.
Already agreed to earlier last week were a college tuition package that would boost community college tuition by 5 percent and in-state tuition at state universities by 7.5 percent. Out-of-state tuition will go up at least 12.5 percent under the plan.
For in-state undergraduate university students, that's an increase from $63.41 to $68.17 a credit hour.
The House is expected to give final passage this week to a nine-day holiday from paying sales tax on clothes and books up to $100 and school supplies up to $10 from July 24 through Aug. 1. The Senate is also expected to sign off on the idea.
