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Industry group urges clearer ties between nursing‑home ownership and operations in HB 96
Summary
The Academy of Senior Health Sciences told the House Health Committee that real estate investment trusts (REITs) and ownership structures warrant closer regulatory ties to operators, and recommended Department of Health involvement in capital reimbursement and quality workgroups.
Chris Murray, CEO of the Academy of Senior Health Sciences, testified that language in HB 96 addressing ownership of nursing homes—particularly use of REITs—merits further refinement. Murray said REITs are not inherently problematic but that the committee should ensure ownership structures align incentives with residents’ care rather than treating facilities solely as assets.
Murray proposed that the Ohio Department of Health participate in discussions about a capital/environmental quality payment tied to assessed facility value and environmental features that improve quality of life. He urged stakeholders to craft draft regulatory language tying operators’ actions more closely to ownership and said the association is working with providers to develop proposals.
Representative Brownlee asked whether the speakers had draft language; Murray said stakeholders are still developing regulatory concepts and that the committee should allow stakeholder dialogue ahead of final budget language.
The committee did not adopt any regulatory wording during the informal hearing and encouraged the nursing‑home sector to deliver proposed language quickly ahead of the amendment deadline.
