For years, North Dakota has had a moratorium on the number of allowable beds for long-term care facilities.
It’s part of the state’s efforts to keep people at home longer – and out of nursing homes.
An effort to remove the moratorium failed in the House.
Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield) says under current state law, you can open up a new facility – but you have to purchase bed capacity from another existing facility. Weisz says there is a skilled care facility in Underwood that closed – and the beds were moved to Bismarck.
"If they wanted to have even a 20 bed facility, Underwood would have to pay $200,000 just for the right to have basic care beds," said Weisz. "If it's our job tgo try to lower the cost of long term care, why are we telling a community such as Underwood, 'You can't even consider the possibility of a basic care facility because of what it will cost you.'"
Others argued the moratoriums should stay in place. Rep. Kylie Overson (D-Grand Forks) says the moratorium has helped restrict the growth of basic care – and helped control the Medicaid budget.
"When there is such a strong desire by so many to keep people in home and community services, and out of long-term care facilities for as long as possible, we should not be unnecessarily increasing the availablity of beds," said Overson.
House members voted down the amendment to remove the moratorium 66 to 28.