Several sources have indicated to the Columbus Dispatch that Gov. John Kasich is prepared to veto the $30 million for nursing homes that Republican legislators added to the mid-biennium review (Source: “Nursing homes’ $30M pop may fizzle,” Columbus Dispatch, May 31, 2012).
Nursing homes had won support in both the Republican-controlled House and Senate for the $30 million by pointing out that the industry has experienced more than $850 million in federal Medicare cuts this year; $39 million less in state funding compared to last year and that the money would be used to assist nursing homes in adhering to the governor’s new quality standards for long-term care.
The amendment added to the mid-biennium review submitted by Republican state Rep. Barbara Sears of Toledo would create a pool of money to reward nursing homes for meeting more than five of those quality standards.
However, administration officials point out that policy changes they have implemented to make it easier for Ohioans to seek care in non-institutional settings were expected to lead to a downsizing of the industry.
“It’s clear to us that so far in (the state budget) we got this right,” said Greg Moody, director of the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation. “That’s what’s in our mind as we approach this final stage of reviewing the changes that were made to the (mid-biennium review).”
Source:Ohio Health Policy Review, June 1, 2012.