SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - An interim legislative committee is tackling the availability and costs of nursing home and assisted living beds across South Dakota.
The state initiated a moratorium on nursing home beds in 1988 and Committee Chairman Wayne Steinhauer of Hartford says it halted nursing home expansion.
Steinhauer says the system could use a certain level of free enterprise. He's not suggesting a total removal of the moratorium but allow facilities to transfer licenses or possibly sell them.
He says at least 44% of beds nursing homes request for proposal have to be through Medicaid, with a low reimbursement. Steinhauer say that's close to 80% of their cost. He says that makes it difficult to pay for new brick and mortar when you have that high of Medicaid usage.
The moratorium sets a limit of 8,130 on the total number of licensed nursing home beds.
Close to 60 percent of residents in nursing home beds are supported by Medicaid payments from the state.
The committee meets for final time today in Pierre and Steinhauer says the panel may have some bills for the next legislature to consider.