Hello Members!
A month down and four to go in the General Assembly’s Regular Session. It’s the second year of an election cycle, with no new legislators and few committee member changes, so we’d expect things to move, especially with a record number of pre-filed bills. But, the House has passed only two items (none of consequence to aging services) and, at this writing, the Senate remains in a political stalemate – no bills debated.
Despite a balky start, things will likely pick up in February in advance of our Advocacy Day February 18. Please come to Jefferson City to educate policymakers on current and future initiatives that will make a difference for aging services providers and the older Missourians you serve. In this regard, two recent legislative committee hearings on bills important to our members have attracted our attention…and my perspective!
Senior Care Community Property Tax
House Bills 2668 & 2780 – advancing broad property tax reforms – were considered in Committee January 20. Both bills would change the property tax classification of long-term care facilities from “residential” to “commercial”, thereby increasing facility real estate taxes. As non-profit, tax-exempt organizations, many LA MO members avoid property tax on some or all real estate. However, county tax collectors are inconsistent and some aggressively pursue non-profit senior care providers for property tax (or negotiated payments in lieu of property tax) – especially on independent living units.
That is why LeadingAge Missouri advanced legislative language to exempt all non-profit, 501(c)(3) senior care providers from real estate and personal property taxes like some states do. Our proposal is unlikely to advance, but it bolsters our position in the broader property tax reform debate that our communities should remain classified “residential” property. Our communities are homes for our residents. Our communities are not temporary or transient accommodations – they are permanent dwellings for older adults who may need assistance, and we commit considerable resources to making our communities homelike. Missouri has always understood this and has always classified our communities as “residential”, regardless of community tax status. In addition, the State has long supported older Missourians, who live on fixed or limited income, with advantageous property tax credits and freezes that reduce – not increase – their property taxes. For these and other compelling reasons, LeadingAge MO testified in Committee against the reclassification provisions in HBs 2668 & 2780 that will negatively impact some of our members. We will continue the legislative fight and welcome your support on Advocacy Day.
Medicaid Reimbursement
While we await budget documents and Committee consideration for Home & Community-Based Services (“HCBS”), the House Budget Committee released documents and considered Medicaid funding for skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”). The good news is that the Governor has recommended no change in SNF appropriations. With federal changes in Medicaid and our State’s challenging fiscal environment, we feared SNF cuts. That is not the case so far. However, the challenging news is that Budget Committee members are scrutinizing SNF budget line items. One member questioned whether the State is overbudgeting for SNF Medicaid residents based on past underutilization and lapsed appropriations. MO HealthNet defended SNF financing, but it is obvious some Budget Committee Members view SNF funding as low hanging fruit for budget cutting. Through advocacy LeadingAge members must protect Medicaid reimbursements. Sign up here to join other “lobbyists for a day” on LA MO Advocacy Day February 18.
In policymaking, decisions that impact our field can happen rapidly or in last-minute negotiations behind closed doors. Relationships with legislators educated by our members put LeadingAge at the decision table. While association staff and professional lobbyists work year-round to educate our elected representatives, there is one influence more powerful than any paid advocate: YOU!, our dedicated members!
Our upcoming Advocacy Day is your chance to step into the halls of power and ensure our policy agenda remains a priority for legislators representing your community and residents. It is an opportunity to build or enhance relationships critical to our field’s future. Won’t you join us February 18? There is strength in numbers and only our members – who, as constituents, hold legislators accountable – can put a human face on policy proposals. Your insights, stories, and experience can shape policies and our field’s future. Come be an advocate! Register here!
