Legislation Offering Relief to Nursing Homes

AUSTIN – State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola has filed legislation to establish a program that brings Texans’ own federal tax dollars back home to improve the quality of nursing home care in the state. Hughes says the proposed legislation could provide much needed relief to Smith County’s 15 long term care facilities that have experienced years of under funding from the state. Under the bill, nursing homes will receive additional funding for meeting nationally recognized performance standards and for making investments in staff wages and benefits. Funding will also be directed towards modernizing buildings. This would create comfortable homelike settings. The funding would also be used for investing in new technology. All of this, Senator Hughes says, would help to improve overall resident quality of life. And Hughes said his legislation will not add to the state budget.