HOUSE AMENDMENT

                                                  Bill No. HB 1971

    Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)

                            CHAMBER ACTION
              Senate                               House
                                   .
                                   .
 1                                 .
                                   .
 2                                 .
                                   .
 3                                 .
                                   .
 4                                                                

 5                                           ORIGINAL STAMP BELOW

 6

 7

 8

 9

10                                                                

11  The Committee on Health & Human Services Appropriations

12  offered the following:

13

14         Amendment 

15         On page 60, lines 9 through 25,

16  remove from the bill:  all of said lines

17

18  and insert in lieu thereof:

19         Section 27.  There is hereby appropriated the sum of

20  $3,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund and the sum

21  $4,420,344 from the Medical Care Trust Fund to the Agency for

22  Health Care Administration in order to allow nursing

23  facilities the ability to recruit and retain qualified staff

24  and to provide appropriate care.  The Agency for Health Care

25  Administration shall adjust limitations in the patient care

26  component of the per diem rate to allow these additional funds

27  to be reimbursed through the per diem rate, effective April 1,

28  2000.  The agency in expending the funds provided in this

29  appropriation shall establish a formula for reimbursing

30  nursing facilities for the cost of hiring additional certified

31  nursing assistants and licensed nurses or for the cost of

                                  1

    File original & 9 copies    04/20/99
    hap0011                     09:21 pm         01971-hhs -115951




                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

                                                  Bill No. HB 1971

    Amendment No. 1 (for drafter's use only)





 1  salary or benefit enhancements to retain such staff in these

 2  specific classes.  The formula shall provide for an increase

 3  in a nursing facility's per diem rate inversely proportionate

 4  to the facility's current staffing level for these staff

 5  compared to the staffing standards set forth in agency rule.

 6  The agency shall maintain for tracking purposes the record of

 7  each facility's staffing increases or enhancements resulting

 8  from these funds.

 9

10         Section 28.  The sum of $150,000 is hereby appropriated

11  from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Elderly

12  Affairs for fiscal year 1999-2000 to fund the responsibilities

13  of the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and establish

14  a statewide toll-free telephone number pursuant to s.

15  400.0078, Florida Statutes, as created by this act.  Eighteen

16  positions and the sum of $1,304,720 from recurring General

17  Revenue Funds, $72,994 from nonrecurring General Revenue Funds

18  and $452,584 from the Administrative Trust Fund is

19  appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration for

20  Fiscal Year 1999-2000 implement the provisions of this act.

21  The sum of $26,000 from General Revenue Fund is appropriated

22  to the Executive Office of the Governor for Fiscal Year

23  1999-2000 for the Governor's Panel on Excellence in Long Term

24  Care.

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  2

    File original & 9 copies    04/20/99
    hap0011                     09:21 pm         01971-hhs -115951