Democratic state lawmakers are making a final push this week to boost Medicaid reimbursement rates in the state budget to a 20% increase, arguing the change would aid struggling nursing homes in New York statewide. 

The higher rate is lower than the 5% increase Gov. Kathy Hochul has backed in her own $227 billion spending plan. The state budget is due to pass by Saturday. 

Lawmakers and health care networks over the last several months have pointed to the effects of the pandemic on hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities, which have strained budgets and depleted the workforce. 

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, a Democrat who represents an area north of Albany, said the problems facing upstate nursing homes is particularly acute. 

"Our upstate nursing homes are on the verge of collapse,” she said. “They have hundreds of beds that can't be filled due to staffing shortages caused by lack of funds. While I am grateful that the Assembly's one-house budget doubled the executive’s proposed paltry increase of only 5%, the need for a full 20% increase remains. Without that increase, many homes supporting the elders in our communities will be forced to shut their doors, and we cannot allow this to happen."

Nursing homes struggled in particular during the early months of the COVID pandemic. As the budget talks have continued this month, Democratic lawmakers have also backed $15 million to strengthen the state's nursing home ombudsman program in order to provide better oversight of the facilities. 

"Improving our state’s nursing homes is an urgent priority," said Assemblyman John McDonald. "Lack of funding to these facilities results in inadequate staffing, closing of beds and back-ups in our hospitals. Increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate would ease the financial strain and provide enhanced resources to care for residents. We need to do everything we can to ensure all New Yorkers in nursing homes and care facilities receive the dignity, care, and respect they deserve."