MN SF626

Replaces the previous nursing home moratorium exception process with a new hardship area designation system based on specific criteria including low bed capacity per elderly population, high out-migration for nursing services, and adequate non-institutional long-term care alternatives.

Establishes a biennial request for information process (August 15 in odd years) to identify hardship areas, with request for proposals published by March 15 following the request for information.

Caps new nursing home beds approved statewide at 200 beds per biennium through June 30, 2019, and 300 beds per biennium thereafter for hardship area designations.

Authorizes commissioners of health and human services to approve nursing facility consolidation projects that close one or more facilities while upgrading remaining facilities, with property rate adjustments calculated based on 65 percent of projected net cost savings.

Allocates funds available for moratorium projects to provide a property rate adjustment of $19.33 for an approved moratorium exception project at a 137-bed nursing facility in Bloomington, effective November 1, 2010.