Looking to Save Millions from Medicaid, Bipartisan Measure in House Introduced on Nursing Homes

A Democrat and a Republican have teamed up in the Florida House to introduce a bill to increase the number of Floridians who can join the Nursing Home Diversion Program. The measure, introduced by Rep. Steve Perman, D-Boca Raton, and Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Rockledge, looks to knock down restrictions keeping some seniors on Medicaid in nursing homes instead of receiving treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

Pointing to a study from the University of Miami medical school that showed the state could save $42,000 per senior annually, the legislators claimed their bill could save taxpayers a bundle. Perman said the measure could save more than $100 million in the next year and more than $1 billion by 2014.

With a little creativity, Florida can achieve savings for taxpayers and honor our societal responsibility to provide quality care for our citizens, said Perman. House Bill 267 is an innovative solution that I look forward to presenting to the Florida Legislature as my first bill.

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