State Rep. Matthew Bierlein has introduced legislation that will help ensure vulnerable residents in communities throughout the state can continue receiving crucial care.

Counties that have Medicaid-funded nursing home services are required to reimburse the state for facility operating costs. When the parameters involving these reimbursement rates were originally enacted through law, some counties realized they would have to pay higher costs than before. House Bill 4726 extends key protections that were established for these facilities by continuing to allow them to pay a lower “maintenance of effort” rate.

“County-owned care facilities are vital for many people in Michigan, including in rural areas,” said Bierlein, of Vassar. “It’s important that these facilities are sustained. Maintaining these reimbursement protections will ensure providers are there for our most vulnerable senior citizens. If these protections go away, facilities would see significant cost increases that would impact care and it would force local residents to pay more through county millages. Extending this program is commonsense policy that protects people’s well-being.”

The current expiration date for the reimbursement rate provision is set for Dec. 31. Bierlein’s plan moves it to Dec. 31, 2030, or until a new reimbursement system is implemented. The current rate provision has been in place since the mid-1980s and has been granted extensions multiple times before.

The bill has been referred to the House Insurance Committee for consideration. Bierlein chairs the House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security.