Nursing Homes Urge FRA Extension

Missouri’s largest association of licensed nursing home and assisted living facilities urges state lawmakers to quickly approve an extension for the FRA, a key funding mechanism for Missouri’s Medicaid program. FRA is the Federal Reimbursement Allowance. Missouri Health Care Association director Nikki Strong testifies that nursing homes will close if FRA isn’t renewed. She says 70 percent of Missouri’s 23-thousand nursing home residents are on Medicaid:

Debate on the FRA extension begins this morning in Jefferson City, on the Missouri Senate floor. The Missouri Hospital and Pharmacy Associations are urging lawmakers to act quickly in the special session to extend the FRA for five years.