Nursing homes in Missouri would get more Medicaid money under a bill heading to the Governor after it breezes through the House. Sponsor Charles Portwood of Ballwin wants to increase the amount of money it gives nursing homes for maintaining beds for Medicaid patients. Portwood figures his bill would increase reimbursement by about two dollars a bed, raising the average state reimbursement to near $100 a day. Its projected costs is $16-Million teh first year, $34-Million the second, and $64-Million the third. Few representatives quarreled with Portwood’s contention that nursing homes need more money, but some, including Michael Spreng of Florissant, want assurances poorly paid workers will get raises. The body turned down his amendment, leaving it up to homes how to spend the extra compensation.
