Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

The House is tentatively scheduled to vote on the fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation bill Feb. 1.

House Republicans are expected to pass the legislation, which includes key measures affecting nursing homes. The House approved the bill Dec. 19; the Senate followed on Dec. 21. But because the Senate slightly amended the bill, the House has to vote again on it before President Bush considers it.

Long-term care providers and seniors groups such as AARP are opposed to the new asset-transfer rules in the legislation. The new rules would lengthen the look-back provision when determining Medicaid eligibility for residents to five years from three.

It would also move the start date of the period of ineligibility when an improper asset transfer has occurred. The date would coincide with the time the resident starts receiving nursing home care.