One bill backed by resident advocates would require a significant portion of Medicaid money be spent directly on resident care. Another bill largely backed by industry groups would redefine rules governing the long-term care ombudsman’s office, which advocates for resident rights. Senate Bill 1629, by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would “improve nursing care by increasing transparency and accountability for nursing homes participating in the Medicaid program,” according to a statement by Kolkhorst in a Senate Research Center analysis. Kolkhorst chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
