Older Missourians who struggle with debilitating physical impairments and chronic medical conditions would get additional financial relief to help pay for the highly specialized 24-hour nursing home services they require for daily survival under the budget passed Wednesday by the Missouri Senate.
The Senate increased the House Medicaid funding proposal for nursing home services provided to medically vulnerable seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. The increase will help offset the 3.5 percent cut to nursing home care that took effect last July.
“This is welcome news for the estimated 24,000 medically vulnerable Missourians who depend on Medicaid to help pay for their care,” said Nikki Strong, executive vice president for Missouri Health Care Association.
“We are pleased that legislators recognize the crisis facing our seniors, veterans and disabled Missourians in nursing homes,” Strong said. “The increased funding will help guarantee access to the 24/7 vital care services these vulnerable citizens need in their communities across the state.”
Gov. Greitens’ budget actions last July resulted in the deepest cuts to services provided to seniors, veterans and people with disabilities since the inception of the Medicaid program. State general revenues now only pay an average of $15.26 per person per day for care. This represents a $25 per person per day shortfall, making it impossible to properly provide the 24/7 specialized care for these citizens.
“Since the governor’s release of the budget last year, the legislature has worked tirelessly to properly fund these necessary health services. Today, we have seen amazing progress toward providing vital care services for Missouri’s most vulnerable seniors, veterans and citizens with disabilities,” Strong said.
Both chambers must now meet in a conference committee to work out funding differences in the budget bills.
