The Kentucky Legislature’s Joint Interim Committee on Health and Welfare met Wednesday and heard from top officials in the state nursing home industry about some changes needed to keep the industry healthy. The Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities discussed three concerns: liability reform; inflation adjustments for Medicaid reimbursements and addressing a nearly $22 million backlog in Medicaid certification and reimbursement, a 60 day process that is taking up to a year. Most nursing homes provide services while waiting but KAHCF President Betsy Johnson says that is exacting a cost.

“Beyond the significant financial harm this issue has caused nursing facilities and the contractors they do business with this issue has also caused a great deal of stress to residents and their families due to the fear of discharge for nonpayment,” said Johnson.

The association is seeking advance payments while eligibility is determined and asking for a provider tax increase to help refund realistic inflation rate adjustments.