Committee backs House Bill 28 to merge nursing home and residential-care administrator boards

Representative Dore Healy presented House Bill 28 to the Health and Welfare Committee, describing the measure as a consolidation of two licensing boards.

Healy, who said he represents District 15 (West Boise and part of Meridian), said the bill would merge the board of nursing home administrators and the board of residential care facility administrators to reduce duplication and achieve long-term savings. He described the boards as “very similar” and said the consolidation follows national practice. Healy acknowledged that the boards had moved to the Chinden campus, which increased costs in the short term, and said the boards are currently operating in the red. He estimated the consolidation could produce fiscal improvement over time and said projections show improvements “by 2029.”

Representative Wheeler moved to send House Bill 28 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and said the consolidation is “smart and strategic” and likely to produce long-term savings and better outcomes. Representative McCann sought clarification about the fiscal note; Healy said the fiscal note indicates no impact on the general fund but that the two boards are currently in the red and consolidation is expected to reduce that deficit over time.

One person who identified themselves in the hearing as a health-care representative was present but did not offer testimony on the record. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the chair voted aye and announced the motion passed.