Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
As Gov. Doug Burgum presented his budget plan that includes a 1 percent increase in funding for nursing homes in each year of the 2019-21 biennium, nursing home facilities are seeking a 3 percent increase to help with staff recruitment and retention, benefits and building maintenance and employee health insurance.
Shelly Peterson, president of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association (NDLTCA) warns that residents of nursing home facilities will be negatively impacted if the level of state funding included in Gov. Doug Burgum’s 2019-21 budget proposal is approved by the 2019 Legislative Assembly. “Ultimately, lack of funding results in unmet needs for our residents, including the availability of qualified staff members. It takes very special people to provide the care we all want for our moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas. We’re already dealing with workforce shortages, and a one percent inflationary adjustment won’t help us keep and attract nurses and CNAs. For example, the governor’s budget would provide wage increases of 14 cents per hour for CNAs; that won’t bring qualified caregivers to our facilities,” Peterson said.
Nursing facilities in North Dakota often face staffing shortages and, as a result, have had to turn to contract nursing agencies to fill positions. On Wednesday, the heads of nursing facilities told reporters more funding is sorely needed to recruit and retain staff. "Skilled nursing facilities must have the resources to provide salary increases and benefits to its employees so we can recruit and retain staff so no care is being compromised for our residents," said Janessa Vogel, administrator of Elm Crest Manor in New Salem.
Craig Christianson, CEO of Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, said the proposed 1 percent increase "fell short" of what is needed to account for the rising costs of medical supplies and equipment, as well as employee benefits. "After two years of operating at a loss and starting the new budget year at a loss, we truly need our governor and legislators to support a 3 percent inflator in 2019 and 2020 for long-term care," he said.
Peterson adds “We appreciate the increase in the inflator provided in Governor Burgum’s budget proposal, but we are hopeful state legislators will take another look at the demands placed on our long-term care system and adjust the inflator to three percent. Legislators live in or near the communities where our facilities are located, and they understand their importance. The Long Term Care Association looks forward to an open dialogue with legislators during the upcoming legislative session. Addressing unmet needs will be the focus of these discussions.”
One legislator said nursing facilities request for additional state funding is well-founded. "The Long-Term Care Association is correct that they cannot make it with that (1 percent additional funding)," said Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo.
Lee, who chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, said she's aware of some facilities that are using reserves in order to stay open. Lee said funding long-term care is a priority for legislators, and she supports at least a 3 percent increase. "This is a priority for us to take care of our vulnerable population in the best way that we can," she said. "We may not end up at 3 (percent), but I certainly support 3 percent and I hope we can at least come pretty close to that."
In response to the North Dakota Long-Term Care Association’s request for increased state funding, Burgum’s spokesman Mike Nowatzki said, in addition to the governor’s proposed 1 percent increase, the governor is “committed to working with providers to improve access to home and community-based services and reform the payment system so that our long-term care system can continue to provide sustainable, quality care to North Dakotans.”
The North Dakota Long Term Care Association is a professional association of community and long-term care providers who enhance the lives of people they serve through collaboration, education and advocacy. NDLTCA represents assisted living, basic care and nursing facilities throughout North Dakota.
