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Most senior
programs spared in state’s budget cuts
Through the flurry
of legislative activity at the end of May, the
long-term care reforms passed by the Minnesota
Legislature last year were spared any significant
cuts.
However, state
government will be affected, with many departments
dealing with services for older Minnesotans
receiving cuts. The final budget bill did put back
some of the money originally cut from state
departments.
Another bill was
also passed and signed by the governor that contains
provisions making technical changes in a variety of
areas, such as Licensing, Elderly Waiver,
Alternative Care and Housing with Services. It also
modifies some definitions and procedures for planned
closure of nursing facilities.
Other bills passed
this session that could impact older Minnesotans
include:
• HF 2664/SF 2459
(registration of supplemental nursing agencies)
passed and was signed by the governor on March 26.
• HF 2710/SF 3246
(establishing a no-call list for telemarketers by
Jan. 1, 2003, and setting conditions and penalties
for those calling people on the list) passed and was
signed by the governor on May 15.
• HF351 was
enacted earlier over the veto of Governor Ventura
and includes the following provisions:
* The Prescription
Drug Program expansion to 135 percent of poverty
level for seniors will begin July 1, 2003. Coverage
for disabled people under 65 at 120 percent of
poverty starts July 1, 2002.
* There are no
reductions in Senior Nutrition, Senior Volunteer
Programs, Health Insurance Counseling, SAIL (Senior
Agenda for Independent Living), Living at Home Block
Nurse Programs, Home Sharing or Epilepsy Skills.
* The Community
Services Development Grant Fund is reduced by $1.5
million in fiscal year 2003 and $768,000 in fiscal
year 2004. The Community Services Grant Fund for
fiscal year 2005 was restored to original level.
* County long-term
care plans shall be submitted biennially instead of
annually. Funding for fiscal year 2003 is eliminated
and the base level for fiscal years 2004-2005 is set
at $550,000 each year.
* The dissemination
of long-term care quality profiles was delayed until
July 1, 2003. Also delayed was a quality profile
system for providers other than nursing facilities
until 2004.
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