News

Federal Legislation Aims to Create Caregiver Fund and Establish Workforce Grants

On February 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

HR 6530 was introduced in the US House of Representatives directly at Argentum’s request and includes two primary components. If passed, the legislation would create a $10 billion caregiver sustainability fund similar to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and establish $1.25 billion in federal grants for workforce development that would provide four-year grants of up to $1 million per entity.

ICYMI: Contact your lawmaker; ask them to support caregivers

On February 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

This week at Institute, we’ve asked thousands of senior services professionals to contact their lawmakers and ask them to support caregivers with the wages they deserve. If you missed our call to action at Institute, we invite you to join us today!

Gov. Walz Signs Bill Extending Protections for First Responders, Frontline Workers

On February 10, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Governor Tim Walz has signed Chapter 32, HF 1203, into law, renewing and extending presumptive workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers.

Current State of Play: Build Back Better Act

On December 23, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Senate Majority Leader Schumer has committed to a procedural vote on the Senate Build Back Better Act, which is still being drafted. On Dec. 20, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) acknowledged the deep discontent and frustration in a Dear Colleague letter by the decision to delay floor consideration of the Build Back Better Act because Senator Manchin could not agree with President Biden.

Skilled Nursing Providers: Take Action Before the Senate Passes the Build Back Better Act!

On December 16, 2021 by Matt Steele

The Build Back Better Act (BBB) currently being debated in the Senate requires nursing homes to have a registered nurse on staff 24 hours a day.

Forecasted Record-Level State Surplus Represents Opportunity for Investment

On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released an updated state budget forecast projecting a $7.7 billion surplus of revenue over expenses in its general fund. The surplus shows that the state is weathering the pandemic well and allows lawmakers to make permanent investments in professional caregivers.

Critical LTC Investment in Moving in Congress

On November 11, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Congress is currently working on the Build Back Better Act, the second part of President Biden's infrastructure improvement effort. The BBB is a $1.75 trillion proposal to enhance and improve "social" infrastructure, including services to older adults. It is currently being finalized in the House. Then it will head to the Senate and, once both houses agree, to the President. The current version of the bill includes the following investments in programs for older adults-

Workforce Data Illustrates Huge Challenges Faced by Members

On October 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Due to the vast scale of workforce challenges faced by providers, the Long-Term Care Imperative recently conducted a workforce survey of care center and assisted living providers to measure the scope of the problems and to influence policymakers in support of a much-needed response.

Contact Your Lawmakers in D.C. Today

On September 1, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Share your thoughts on vaccine mandates. Show your support for the Infrastructure Bill.

Join your peers from around the country in a national advocacy effort and contact your elected officials today. LeadingAge, our national affiliate, has launched two grassroots campaigns and now is the time to act. Send a message to your U.S. Representatives and Senators.

MDH Clarifies Implementation of Assessment Changes from Special Session

On August 4, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

During the June special session, legislation changed resident assessment practices that care centers now need to follow: the requirement for a significant change assessment after therapy services end or after completing a period of required isolation for an infection.

Tell Congress: Include Investments for Older Adults and the Providers Who Serve Them

On July 28, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Congressional leaders are deep in negotiations on a $3.5 trillion infrastructure investment package—so NOW is the moment to make sure US Representatives and Senators hear our voices!

Tell Congress: Include Investments for Older Adults

On July 21, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Congress has begun developing a $3.5 trillion infrastructure investment package — so NOW is the moment to make sure U.S. Representatives and Senators hear our voices!

New Polling Data Shows Overwhelming Support for Investment in Older Adults

On July 14, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Americans strongly back more significant investments in services to support older adults, finds a new LeadingAge poll of U.S. adults.

American families face a crisis as millions of us are growing older without access to affordable care and the support we need.

HHS Special Session Bill Extends Leave Days for Housing Support Program (GRH)

On July 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

An extension to Housing Support payments for days absent was included in legislation passed during the legislative session.

The change requires that an agency must continue to pay an additional 74 days per incident, not to exceed a total of 92 days in a calendar year, for a person who is temporarily absent due to admission at a residential behavioral health facility, inpatient hospital, or nursing facility.

HHS Bill Addresses Requirements for Settings Exempt from Assisted Living Licensure

On July 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus budget bill passed by lawmakers last month included important policy provisions that ensure that licensed assisted living providers and those providers exempt from assisted licensure will be eligible to receive customized living payments. This legislation paves the way for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to issue the Assurance Form for settings that are exempt from assisted living licensure and will ensure residents receiving services in these settings are not disrupted.

Lawmakers Wrap Up Work on State Budget

On July 7, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

With a final push and some surprise twists, Minnesota lawmakers dodged the threat of state agency and services shutdowns, just barely meeting their deadline to pass a $52 billion state budget. Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. was lawmakers' deadline to get all 13 of their state budget bills through both chambers of the Legislature and to Governor Walz's desk for his signature. Governor Walz has signed the 12 budget bills and the tax bill, averting the potential disaster of state agency shutdown.

HHS Budget Reflects Key LTC Imperative Priorities

On June 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota State Legislature has passed the Health and Human Services (HHS) budget bill for the next biennium, and the bill has been signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz. The passage of this legislation, a bill that lawmakers heavily debated, is a critical step in finalizing a state budget before the new fiscal year on July 1. Since the bill is now law, there will be no shutdown of health and human services programs even if lawmakers fail to agree in other budget areas.

Hero Pay Legislation Advances in Tax Bill

On June 30, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

A top legislative priority for LeadingAge Minnesota this year has been to secure hero pay bonuses to employees in senior care settings. Last week, legislative leaders announced an agreement to set aside some funding for hero pay bonuses. But until recently, we had few details. This weekend, lawmakers adopted an amendment that laid out a process to finalize hero pay bonuses this summer.

Minnesota Legislative Session Ends with Unfinished Business

On May 19, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

The Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2021 regular session, hours before the constitutionally required midnight adjournment, without passing a biennial budget. Lawmakers will need a special session to finish the job. For senior care providers, there are several key priorities left unresolved at this time. We are hopeful that legislators will address these in the special session.

LTC Imperative Urges Lawmakers to Address Urgent Assisted Living Issues

On May 5, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

Even as assisted living licensure applications opened last week and state legislators entered their final weeks of the legislative session, there continue to be substantive and technical issues with the assisted living licensure law, jeopardizing the access to needed assisted living services for Minnesota seniors.