ND long term care seeks additional state funding

The president of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association says most, if not all, facilities are short-staffed.

Shelly Peterson says the Association recently surveyed its members about staffing.  “Seventy-nine percent ranked it concerning to a crisis.”

Peterson says existing staff have been asked to work longer hours, and facilities are contracting for workers from temp agencies.  “We are spending millions and millions on agency temporary staff .  Our staff are tired and we don’t have the staff….and residents need care.”

Peterson says the group will ask the Legislature during the upcoming special session for $42.1 million. She says the money is for lost revenues because of occupancy declines, and increased expenses.

Peterson says she plans to take the request to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, which will meet ahead of the November special session. Those meetings start next week.

NDPPR/KNOX