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Budget deliberations stall over slots — Budget deliberations have come to a standstill as the Governor and Senate are at loggerheads over the use of slot machines to generate over $900 million in additional money. The Senate is refusing to permit the placement of slot machines at horseracing tracks noting that Ohioans have repeatedly rejected casino-style gambling at the polls. Instead, the Senate is calling upon the Governor to use his power of executive order to allow the slots. The Governor has stated that the General Assembly needs to enact a law in order for companies to be willing to make the investment. Also, the Governor has made it clear that the slots are part of his “budget framework” and if the Senate chooses not to use the slots as a source of revenue, then the Senate should put forth a budget plan on their own. The result of the bickering is a seven-day budget that funds core services and reduces other appropriations by 30 percent of their seven day fiscal year 2009 levels. For skilled nursing facilities, this means the provider will be paid the same rate for services during July 1, 2009 to July 7, 2009 as paid on June 29, 2009. While most of the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill have been resolved, the House has already prepared another seven-day interim budget in preparation of a continued stalemate. For more information on the budget, please contact Chris Murray or Victoria Gresh.
Time is running out to register for Fire Prevention — Are you registered for the upcoming “Fire Prevention: Safety & Code Enforcement?” If not, register today as this popular regional education class is just around the corner. This class will review common fire code citations and answer questions specific to your facility. Each class will feature both a Fire Safety Educator and a Code Enforcement Official from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal. Fire Prevention: Safety & Code Enforcement will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include lunch. This class has been approved for four (4) hours of CEU from BENHA. Academy members may attend this popular program for $89 and non-members may attend for $129. A member facility may send three employees for the discounted price of $199, a savings of $68! This is great opportunity for administrators, maintenance directors and nursing staff to learn together how to make their facilities safer. Watch your email for more information or you can register online at http://www.oanh.org/educationalofferings.shtml. For questions, contact Dawn Kennedy.
Don’t get “benched” at the convention — Make sure you don’t get “benched” at the 2009 sports-themed OANH Annual Convention & Trade Show by not having a sleeping room. All attendees will be treated like all-stars, but it’s likely a few will have to sit on the bench because they didn’t reserve sleeping room early! Sleeping rooms are going quickly, so reserve yours today! The 2009 convention will be held Wednesday - Friday, October 21-23, 2009 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. The Academy has negotiated a special discounted rate of $172 per room/per night. To make a reservation call the Hilton at 614/414-5000 and mention the group code OAN.
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