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Senate committee hears testimony supporting one-time nursing home funding add-on in SF 855
Summary
Senate file 855, a one-time nursing home funding add-on request, attracted provider testimony describing reliance on prior one-time funding and continued financial strain, especially in rural facilities. Proponents said past one-time funding helped prevent closures but a large share of homes still project negative financial performance in 2025.
Senator John Abeler introduced Senate File 855, a proposal for a one-time add-on intended to extend financial support to nursing homes following earlier emergency appropriations. Abeler said the measure would cost about $100 million and that previous one-time funding of $300 million in 2023 had helped stabilize many facilities.
Erin Hubert of the Long Term Care Imperative testified in support, saying providers used the 2023 one-time funds to address operating deficits and to raise wages; in a 2024 survey, 59% of providers reported the funds addressed operating deficits and 50% said funds increased employee wages. Kyle Berndt said many providers have spent reserves and that sustained support is needed to avoid further closures.
Senator Abeler urged the committee to consider the bill as an "oxygen" measure that would sustain facilities and staff while longer-term rate solutions are developed. The committee laid Senate File 855 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Why it matters: Providers say one-time funds have been critical to keeping facilities open and paying staff; committee action on SF 855 would signal whether the Legislature plans further short-term support in this budget cycle.
Actions at a glance: - Senate File 855: laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
