Activity This Week at the Minnesota Capitol

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Erin Huppert

This week, LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner continued calling upon lawmakers to support older adults and aging services.

Legislation authorizing the implementation of PACE received an essential hearing before the House Human Services Finance Committee. PACE, or Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a model of care that allows providers to support nursing-home-eligible, low-income adults 55 years and older to remain in their community through care coordination, social support, and HCBS services. It has been a long-standing LTC Imperative priority to bring this program to Minnesota. In 2023, we secured legislation that required DHS to conduct a rate study and submit an implementation plan to the Legislature. This year, HF4389 would keep the momentum going by establishing known dates for milestones like rate setting, issuing an RFP, and initiating open enrollment. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus finance bill.

On Wednesday, LeadingAge MN took the stand before the House Commerce Committee to express our concerns over legislation that could add administrative burden to assisted-living exempt settings. While an amendment was adopted that significantly scales back the bill and reduces the impact on providers, it's important to note that our work on this matter is far from over this session.

On Thursday, the Senate will debate the Human Services Policy Bill on the floor. The bill contains several provisions that LeadingAge MN provided feedback on, including a provision we support that delays the sunset of the Elderly Waiver Disproportionate Share Program. Assuming this bill passes the Senate, it will be reconciled with its companion version in the House and head to a conference committee in April.

As we approach the final five weeks of the legislative session, lawmakers will soon shift their focus to the creation of a supplemental spending bill, which includes allocating $50 million over three years to human services. LeadingAge MN will be your beacon as these bills take shape, guiding you to the next opportunity to take action and voice your concerns with your local legislators.