Senate joint resolution NO. 23

INTRODUCED BY M. Dunwell, S. Webber, S. O'Brien, C. Pope, J. Ellis, A. Olsen, P. Flowers, R. Lynch, D. Hayman, E. McClafferty, W. McKamey, E. Boldman

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of montana's long-term care system.

WHEREAS, Montana's nursing homes are struggling financially with declining census, a high Medicaid payer mix, and rising costs tied to COVID-related mandates, inflation, and higher-acuity patients; and

WHEREAS, nursing homes are experiencing a severe workforce shortage at all levels of staffing, including certified nursing assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses; and

WHEREAS, nursing homes throughout the state have closed, leaving residents struggling to find a new place to live and receive care and in many cases causing our most vulnerable seniors to move far from family, friends, and their home community; and

WHEREAS, Montana has one of the highest percentages of residents 65 years of age or older in the United States.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to evaluate the capacity and current needs of Montana's long-term care system and make recommendations for addressing the needs of the system.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee review the following matters:

(1)        long-term care workforce issues, including but not limited to the current demand and projected future need for workers, as well as barriers to and incentives for recruiting and retaining the staff needed to provide all levels of care;

(2)        efficient care delivery, including availability of long-term care services in rural areas, occupancy and census standards, and access to quality services;

(3)        the availability of home and community-based services;

(4)        access to services for high-need, high-risk populations, including but not limited to people requiring memory care, behavior management, and other more specialized care;

(5)        the use of staffing agencies and contract labor, including the impact on workforce shortages, operational costs, and quality of care; and

(6)        other issues identified by the committee that affect access to quality long-term care services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include input from appropriate stakeholders.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2024.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 69th Legislature.