The state’s Department of Health and Human Services also is allowing increased flexibility in these and related funds.
More than 200 Maine long-term care facilities will receive a portion of $25 million from the state to help in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Janet Mills proposed the MaineCare (Medicaid) one-time payments to 211 long-term care facilities in her supplemental budget just passed by the state legislature.
Additionally, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is increasing flexibility in the use of these and related funds, such as for fuel and other costs related to global inflation.
“Long-term care facilities provide critical services for Maine people, and they are still feeling the impacts of the pandemic—challenges that have only been made more difficult by inflation,” Mills said.
“I am proud the legislature supported my proposal to provide additional funding, and I am pleased we are getting these resources into the hands of our caregivers quickly so they can continue to do their important work,” she said. “It could not come at a better time.”
The 211 organizations receiving grants represent 272 locations throughout the state. The $25 million will be distributed proportionally based on each facility’s 2019 MaineCare revenue and total MaineCare bed days in 2021, according to the state.
For facilities that received little to no MaineCare revenue in 2019, DHHS will use revenue from a more recent 12-month period to determine distribution amounts.
DHHS is offering greater flexibility on the uses of one-time funding to help with pandemic recovery and to combat rising costs associated with inflation to include hiring and retaining staff, food, fuel, and energy bills. This flexibility applies to the new $25 million as well as to any remaining funds from last year’s $123 million one-time COVID-19 supplemental payments to nursing facilities, residential care facilities, and adult family care homes.
“We appreciate Gov. Mills' recognition of the persistent strain on providers and are thankful that additional resources are being distributed,” said Angela Westhoff, president and CEO of the Maine Health Care Association. “We are also pleased with the administration’s response to our request for greater flexibility in the use of these funds with respect to labor costs, as our members persevere to provide care to thousands of vulnerable Maine citizens each day.”
“I am pleased we are getting these resources into the hands of our caregivers quickly so they can continue to do their important work.”
— Gov. Janet Mills
Carol Davis is the Nursing Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The 211 organizations receiving grants represent 272 locations throughout Maine.
Funds will be distributed proportionally based on each facility’s 2019 MaineCare revenue and total MaineCare bed days in 2021.
DHHS is offering greater flexibility on the uses of one-time funding to help with pandemic recovery and to combat rising costs.