As I mentioned in an earlier letter, I'm eager to support Rep. Heintzeman in his work to represent all the citizens of his district. One of the issues his party promised in this new session was additional spending on our nursing homes and long-term care. This would be a welcome change of heart for a party that cut $330 million in funding when they last had the majority in the House. The previous Democrat-dominated state House restored much of that cut by providing the first rate increase care providers had seen in four years and $232 million in new funding.
We know more still needs to be done, which is why I was glad to hear House Democrats voice their support for additional investments. Now Rep. Heintzeman and our new Republican dominated House have the chance to go one step further. Gov. Dayton's 2015 budget calls for more mental health beds and care in greater Minnesota. Nursing homes are asking for $200 million to change the way they are reimbursed (currently from a mix of state and federal dollars) to put more money directly into nurses' salaries. This would be good for our community, the home of a large number of senior citizens who may need nursing home care at some point in their lives.
Let's encourage Rep. Heintzeman to work for all of us and allocate the needed funding.
Beth Passi
Baxter
