Governor Mike Pence says despite his reservations, he’ll let a bill imposing a three-year moratorium on new nursing homes become law. The moratorium will take effect without the governor’s signature.
Indiana’s nursing homes have a 77 percent occupancy rate, well below the national average. And only three states devote a greater percentage of Medicare long-term dollars to nursing homes.
The three-year moratorium on building new nursing homes won’t apply to counties with an occupancy rate higher than 90 percent. And it will allow facilities to be built if they’re replacing older nursing homes.
Governor Pence says he hesitates supporting any restriction on commerce, but notes that 85 percent of nursing home revenue comes from taxpayers.
A bill can become law if the governor does not sign or veto it within seven days.
