Ginter's Bill Providing Affordable Assisted Living to Ohio Seniors Passes House

State Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem) announces legislation he introduced under House Bill 572 passed in the Ohio House on Tuesday. He joint-sponsored the bill alongside State Rep. Sara Carruthers.

“We recognize that every senior has different needs,” Ginter said. “House Bill 572 was crafted to ensure that older Ohioans have more housing opportunities and an enhanced quality of life by providing the right care at the right place. With this passage today, we are one step closer to getting the elderly more affordable assisted living in Ohio.”

The legislation requires the Departments of Aging and Medicaid to establish programs providing payments to residential care facilities that have residents who are Assisted Living Waiver recipients.

“After beginning work on this bill I actually had a constituent contact me distressed over her sister’s situation living at a nearby assisted living facility. She had exhausted her own finances, was moving onto Medicaid, and had been told there was no bed available for her,” Ginter added.

Assisted living has largely been inaccessible for seniors on Medicaid. Unfortunately, facilities are hesitant to accept those on the Assisted Living Waiver, knowing the minimal number of reserved Medicaid beds for them will actually cost the facility money. The legislation has a four-tiered reimbursement rate for the Assisted Living Waiver to improve living opportunities for these individuals while providing the state with lower costs and better housing.

Groups that supported the bill during the committee process include the Ohio Health Care Association, LeadingAge Ohio, AARP Ohio, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and others.

To watch Ginter’s full House floor speech, please visit here. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further consideration.