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Nursing home ban scrutinized
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com
Feb.10,2003
posted to NDN AIM by ErthAvengr
By Denise Ross, Journal Staff Writer
PIERRE - Gov. Mike Rounds has vowed to work out a deal with American Indian
state lawmakers to build nursing homes on Indian reservations that lack
long-term care facilities.
"I recognize the need," Rounds said.
Rounds' support might break a years-long impasse on the matter.
The governor had to call off a planned Friday morning meeting with four South
Dakota lawmakers about a bill to remedy the lack of nursing home beds on two
reservations. On short notice, Rounds was called on to participate in a
conference call with federal Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge about the
nation's elevated terrorism alert.
The governor said he hopes to meet with the four today about HB1210 sponsored
by Rep. Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge.
HB1210 would permit nursing homes to be built in spite of a statewide
moratorium on new facilities. The moratorium is written into state law and
dates back to the 1980s.
"No new nursing facility may be constructed, operated, or maintained in this
state unless the nursing facility is serving as a replacement for an existing
facility," reads a state law in effect until June 29, 2005.
However, Bradford argues that although nursing homes in some parts of the
state might have vacant beds, residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
must take their loved ones hours away from home to get them care. Family
visits then become more burdensome and infrequent. Tribal plans to build a
nursing home on the reservation have been stymied by the state law.
Rep. Tom Van Norman, D-Eagle Butte, said the situation is the same on the
Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
"It is a central issue in Indian communities. It has been for the last 14
years," Van Norman said. "There's a basic right of equal access."
Sen. Michael LaPointe, R-Mission, said the Rosebud Sioux Tribe was able to
buy a facility in White River and keep their elders near home, but he has a
stake in the deal for a few reasons.
LaPointe was appointed to replace the late Sen. Dick Hagen, D-Pine Ridge, and
Hagen had been the leader on the issue during his years in the Legislature.
LaPointe said he believes the current situation is unfair.
"I want to see nursing homes on the reservations. There are so many people
eligible for nursing home care who get sent far from home, really far from
home," LaPointe said. "It is traumatic for the families."
HB1210 would limit reservation nursing homes to 50 beds, would allow just one
nursing home per reservation and would not allow construction of new
facilities within a 45 mile radius of existing facilities. The facilities
would have to meet state licensure requirements so as to be eligible for
federal Medicaid payments.
Rounds said he has asked that a committee hearing on HB1210 be held up until
he can meet with Bradford, Van Norman, LaPointe and Rep. Paul Valandra,
D-Mission.
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