End of Session Update for Long Term Care Providers

• By: Ben Hawkins
• On: 06/26/2025 15:24:04
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

The Maine Legislature adjourned on June 25, 2025. While many bills were sent to the Governor, others remain unfinished. Importantly, Senate Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Chair Peggy Rotundo confirmed that unfinished bills—including LD 1720—will be carried over and considered when the Legislature reconvenes in January 2026.

What LD 1720 Would Do

LD 1720 would expand benefits and training support for long term care workers. It proposes to make staff eligible for the state employee retirement system and health plan, require full reimbursement for CNA training and interpreter services, and mandate CNA exam translations into multiple languages.

Budget Outcomes for Long Term Care

The final state budget includes several important provisions:

• A 1% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for nursing facilities and PNMI-C homes
• A separate 1.95% COLA limited to residential care and adult family care homes (passed earlier in the session)
• $20 million in ongoing funding to fully implement cost-of-care-based rate reform for nursing homes
• Repeal of “Section UU,” preserving the annual rate update and rebasing process

What Happens Next

• The Governor has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto bills.
• Most new laws will take effect on September 24, 2025.
• LD 1720 will carry over and be eligible for funding in the 2026 session.

This session brought important funding improvements for long term care providers. The carryover of LD 1720 gives us another chance to push for expanded worker support in 2026. MHCA will continue to advocate for fair reimbursement and a stronger workforce throughout the interim. Additionally, stay tuned for a comprehensive update on the full legislative session. 

Please reach out if you have questions or would like to get involved.

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org