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Frank Robinson, left, Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City, and Nathan Johnson, from Ecumen in North Branch with Rep. Barrett, center, at the Capitol in support of HF 730, which on behalf of nursing facilities in Chisago County as well as Mille Lacs, Isanti and Kanabec counties-- increases the nursing facilities reimbursement rate to match the metro area reimbursement rate. If signed into law, three quarters of the money from that increase will go toward compensation related to costs for nursing facility employees. This ability to offer increased pay will help with employee retention and recruitment, benefiting the hardworking people in this field as well as the aging adults residing in these facilities.

 Rep. Barrett said,  too many nursing homes are unable to fill job openings in Chisago County because of the lower pay rate compared to the metro. This is about fair funding for our nursing homes and ensuring that we can attract the best quality workers to take care of our seniors.   It was also great that Nathan Johnson from Ecumen in North Branch and Frank Robinson from Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City came to the committee showing support for HF 730, Barrett added.
The bill was passed on to the Health and Human Services Reform Committee

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