News

Long-Term Care Messaging Resonates with Minnesotans, According to Polls

On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

LeadingAge Minnesota, with our partners in the Long-Term Care Imperative, conducted a statewide public opinion poll to support our legislative agenda in 2023. The poll results affirm and refine the key messages we use and help us target supporters who advocated alongside us throughout the legislative session.

Leadership Changes in Congress Create New Federal Advocacy Opportunities

On November 17, 2022 by Erin Huppert

When Congress convenes next January, the United States will return to a divided government with narrow margins of control in both the US House and US Senate. In the House, Republicans will retake the majority over Democrats. In the Senate, the Democrats will maintain a one or two-vote margin over the Republicans, pending a run-off election in Georgia.

Argentum Public Policy Institute Registration Now Open

On November 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Argentum, our national partner for assisted living providers, will host its annual Public Policy Institute March 6-8 at the Hotel Monaco in Washington, DC. Registration for the event is now open.

Frontline Workers Receive State Bonus Checks

On October 6, 2022 by Erin Huppert

Pandemic frontline workers will begin to see $487.45 in one-time bonuses from the State of Minnesota this week. Applicants who chose direct deposit of their payment should see it in their accounts in seven to ten days. People who choose to be mailed a prepaid debit card should receive them in three to four weeks.

New Notice Requirement for Assisted Living

On July 14, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Assisted living providers, effective Aug. 1, need to add specific language to any notice that is issued to a resident or their legal or designated representative due to a requirement in the Minnesota Statute 144G or the Assisted Living Rule 4659 that is required to include information regarding the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

CNA Training Lockout Bill Introduced in US Senate

On July 7, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

On June 13, US Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced S.4381, the Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act, which would address the "CNA lockout" that's contributing to the long-term care staffing crisis across the country.

Long Overdue Frontline Worker Bonuses Signed into Law

On May 5, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Friday, April 29, the legislature passed a bill to provide frontline workers a bonus check for their commitment to serving our community during the height of the pandemic. The measure will use $500 million of federal funds to provide "hero" payments to an estimated 667,000 frontline workers in specified sectors, including long-term care and home care settings like nursing homes and assisted living.

Minnesota Senate Passes Funding for Long-Term Caregiver Wages Increases

On April 28, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Tuesday, April 26, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 4410, its Health and Human Services (HHS) Omnibus Bill on a strong bipartisan vote (60-5). The measure includes $358 million in investments for nursing homes and improves Minnesota's Elderly Waiver rate phase-in (from 18.8% to 27.2%).

MN Legislature Resumes Business; the House Releases its Budget Targets

On April 21, 2022 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota Legislature returned from a weeklong break on Tuesday, April 19. There are now just five weeks remaining for legislators to complete their work, including passing bonding and tax bills and finding a compromise on spending our state's $9.2 billion surplus.

Missed Day at the Capitol? It’s Not Too Late to Become an Advocate

On April 7, 2022 by Matt Steele

LeadingAge Minnesota members virtually gathered for our largest advocacy event of the year, the Day at the Capitol. Aging services providers from across the state met with over 50 lawmakers, including several Senate and House legislative leaders, to make their voices heard and advance important policy initiatives for seniors and their caregivers.

Health and Human Services Budget Bills Released: Senate Bill Includes Key Workforce Funding Priorities

On April 7, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

This week the House and Senate have each introduced supplemental budget bills that fund health and human services areas. We were pleased to see that the Senate bill provides significant funding for the Long-Term Care Imperative workforce agenda. Unfortunately, the House bill does not, but the bill does include a few scattered positive elements.

LeadingAge Minnesota Members Advocate in Washington, DC.

On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

This week, several members of LeadingAge Minnesota attended LeadingAge's annual Leadership Summit. In conjunction with the conference, LeadingAge facilitated meetings with our state delegation in Congress to discuss several policy priorities to ensure we have enough caregivers to provide safe, quality care for Minnesota's seniors.

Workforce Payment Bill Advances at the Legislature

On March 31, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Tuesday, March 29, LeadingAge Minnesota testified in support of our bill to provide permanent wage increases to caregivers in the Senate’s Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

Spring Break Site Visits with Your Lawmaker

On March 24, 2022 by Matt Steele

Since August of 2021, several LeadingAge Minnesota members across the state have invited federal and state lawmakers from both political parties into their communities to raise awareness around the growing workforce crisis in long-term care

This Week at the Capitol: PACE Legislation Progresses

On March 10, 2022 by Erin Huppert

This week, the House Human Services Committee took up HF 2283, a bill to allow Minnesota to fully implement the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a nationally recognized and supported community-based model of care for frail older adults.

State Budget Surplus Now More Than $9 Billion

On March 3, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Office of Management and Budget (MMB) released the February budget forecast earlier this week. This budget will guide lawmakers as they determine their spending priorities in the current legislative session. Since the last forecast in November, the budget surplus for the two years ended June 30, 2023, has grown by $1.5 billion to a historic $9.25 billion.

At the Capitol: Senate and House Hear Bills to Help Tackle Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis

On February 24, 2022 by Matt Steele

One month into the legislative session, bills are moving through the committee process rapidly. This week, three bills with our Long-Term Care Imperative-supported proposals were heard in Senate and House committees.

New Political Maps Signal Change, Impact 2022 Politics

On February 17, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Minnesota’s new congressional and legislative district maps, which will govern for the next decade, were released yesterday.

The state's legislative and congressional districts are redrawn two years after every census to ensure each elected official represents an equal number of constituents. According to our state's constitution, the legislature is tasked with this duty.

Newly Introduced Nursing Home Workforce Standards Bill Would Cause Troubling Unintended Consequences 

On February 17, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

This week, a bill introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives to impose workforce standards in nursing home settings would yield troubling unintended consequences if passed. HF 3405, introduced by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) and supported by SEIU, would establish the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board with broad authority to regulate employment standards for nursing home workers. 

Advocate! Connect with Your Lawmakers at Upcoming Lobby Days in St. Paul and on the Hill

On February 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Want to take your advocacy to the next level? We encourage you to consider attending one – or more – of the upcoming advocacy days at the State and Federal levels.