Any funding increase would be used for salary and staff increases and a hike in state reimbursement rates, which rank among the nation's lowest. Eiland says increased funding would help address problems and help improve quality of care. Only homes that could afford the insurance would have been required to buy it, Eiland said. But some lawmakers said they feared mandating the expensive insurance would force financially struggling nursing homes to shut down. It was his amendment that stripped the provision.
Many homes are uninsured, and operators blame skyrocketing rates on lawsuits.
Proponents say the insurance provision would help protect residents and their families.