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Sponsor proposes nursing‑home stabilization fund to blunt Medicaid cuts
Summary
HB 1106 would create a time‑limited nursing home stabilization fund to aid facilities facing steep Medicaid losses; sponsor cited a Brown University study projecting up to 37 Georgia nursing‑home closures and a provider testified a $37 per resident per day shortfall threatens operations.
The sponsor of HB 1106 told the committee the bill would establish a nursing home stabilization fund to provide targeted, time‑limited assistance to facilities facing large Medicaid revenue losses.
"Because of the passage of HR 1 in Washington, our nation will see a total of $1,000,000,000,000 in losses to our Medicaid program," the sponsor said, arguing that reduced reimbursement would put nursing homes — especially in rural and underserved areas — at risk and could lead to closures that displace residents and slow hospital discharges.
The sponsor said a Brown University analysis estimates Georgia could lose as many as 37 nursing homes under projected Medicaid funding changes and described the fund as an accountability‑driven short‑term intervention for facilities demonstrating more than $1,000,000 in losses.
Shirley Coleman of Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center testified in support, saying 85% of her facility's residents are low income and that the current Medicaid reimbursement of $243 per resident per day versus an operating cost of $280 produces a $37 daily shortfall. "With our current system of census of 100 Medicaid residents, that adds up to over $1,400,000 in 1 year," Coleman said.
Committee members acknowledged the issue and noted Medicaid funding and appropriations are being considered in larger budget discussions; the sponsor asked for the item to be briefed further next week. No formal vote or funding appropriation was taken during the hearing.
