Lawmakers want more accountability from nursing homes, but will industry unite behind payment system

As the nursing home industry asks lawmakers for hundreds of millions in additional funds and seeks protections from COVID-19 related lawsuits, there is growing momentum in the Capitol for greater scrutiny over how Florida’s nursing homes spend $4 billion annually.

The Republican-controlled Legislature is moving bills to require Florida nursing homes and their home offices to submit audited financial statements with the state.

But Sen. Audrey Gibson and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith want to go beyond increasing financial transparency at Florida’s 690 skilled nursing facilities. They have filed legislation (SB 1596 and HB 1237) that requires nursing homes to direct 75% of the Medicaid payments they receive to direct patient care.

The bills also place a cap on executive salaries. Nursing homes would not be able to use more than 15% of their total expenses funded through the Medicaid program on executive salaries and earnings.

Read more: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/486689-lawmakers-want-more-accountability-from-nursing-homes-but-will-industry-unite-behind-payment-system/