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COVID-19 relief bill gets nod from HHS Committee

On Tuesday this week, the Maine Legislature's Health & Human Services Committee held a work session on LD 949, “Resolve, To Restore the MaineCare Nursing Facility COVID-19 Temporary Rate Increase".  This bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph Baldacci (D-Penobscot County), originally sought to resume the temporary rate increases that were provided to long term care facilities in April 2020, but removed three months later.  The bill has since been amended to provide more sweeping COVID-19 relief for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  When combined with funding already included in the Governor's newest budget proposal, the bill would bring total LTC support for COVID-19 to over $132 million.

MHCA was very happy to see the HHS Committee unanimously support LD 949.  This bipartisan approval means that the bill is set to be taken up by the full legislature without further debate.  As MHCA members probably know by now, approval by the House and Senate means the fight shifts to the Appropriations Committee, as not all bills that pass are ultimately funded. 

We appreciate the work done on this bill and others by Senator Baldacci, who has been a strong supporter for long term care during his first term in the Maine State Senate.      

Staff Contact: rerb@mehca.org

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