Nursing Homes Want Funding Increase

Oklahoma nursing home owners say they need more state funding for long-term patient care.  Testifying before a legislative meeting on Wednesday, a group of owners said more nursing homes will shut down unless both the state and federal governments increase funding.

Last year, Medicaid paid out about $124 a day for each patient.  Owners say actual operating costs were about $131 a day.

The owners want $200 a day.  They say that amount would be enough to make improvements to older nursing homes and offer better pay to employees.