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Stark Differences in Human Services Omnibus Bills as Minnesota Legislators Begin Week-Long Break
On April 6, 2023 by LeadingAge
On Monday, the Senate Human Services Committee passed its omnibus finance bill with key differences from the House’s version.
Providers Join Lawmakers to Call for Nursing Home Funding
On March 30, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
On Thursday afternoon, several nursing home providers from across the state visited the Capitol to support funding for nursing homes in the House Human Services bill.
House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care
On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert
The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.
Walz’s Revised Budget Addresses Hospital Back-Ups, Not LTC Funding
On March 23, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Governor Tim Walz recently updated his budget proposal and introduced some new spending initiatives after the most recent budget forecast was released. Unfortunately, those initiatives do not include a rate increase for care centers despite the ongoing staffing and financial challenges. Despite the lack of support from the Governor, the Long-Term Care Imperative continues to work with legislators to advocate for this vitally needed funding.
Legislative Leaders Announce Joint Budget Targets
On March 23, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This week, legislative leaders and Governor Walz announced they had reached global budget targets for creating Minnesota’s biennial budget (FY2023-2025). This agreement sets the stage for the Legislature to spend the state’s $17.6 billion surplus. According to the agreement, human services has been given a $1.3 billion target for the two-year period, and health care an additional $755 million.
Media Round-up: Advocates from Around the State Share Stories with Their Neighbors
On March 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
Around the state, LeadingAge Minnesota members have been lifting their voices and sharing their stories in the media to advance our goal of supporting seniors and their caregivers through legislative action.
LeadingAge Minnesota Celebrates Return to In-person Advocacy Day at Capitol
On March 16, 2023 by Kayla Khang
Over 100 members came together this week at LeadingAge Minnesota’s Day at the Capitol, the first in-person day since 2019 after years of COVID-related restrictions. The strong showing illustrates that members understand the importance of speaking up and sharing their stories.
February Budget Forecast Shows Unprecedented Opportunity to Address Senior Care Funding Needs
On March 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Minnesota’s updated state economic forecast was released Monday, and Minnesota’s budget and economic outlook remain historically strong, with a $17.5 billion balance projected for the next biennium. The Minnesota Legislature will use this forecast to determine how much money each budget area, including health and human services, will be allowed to spend.
Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities
On March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert
After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon. The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.
Tune In to Caregiver Conversation – Roundtable with Sen. Frentz and Rep. Brand
On February 23, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge Minnesota has launched a new series: Caregiver Conversations. We’re helping lawmakers and their constituents have critical conversations about the aging services sector. Then we’re we are sharing the recordings far and wide so Minnesotans and leaders at the Capitol better understand the issues we are facing.
Bill to Create Statewide Paid Family Leave Program Moves Through Legislature
On February 16, 2023 by Erin Huppert
A legislative proposal to create a statewide paid family leave program is moving rapidly through the Legislature this year with implications for employers and their employees.
Build Connections to Make an Impact
On February 16, 2023 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge Minnesota is more than an association. It’s a community built on a foundation of meaningful relationships and a common understanding of what it means to be an aging services professional. Our shared experiences help us know deeply the profound impact chronic underfunding of senior care services has on the well-being of professional caregivers, their families, and the people we serve.
LTC Payment Bill Receives Bipartisan Support in House Human Services Committee
On February 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This week, the House Human Services Finance Committee heard HF 733, a bill that would facilitate raising wages for professional caregivers in aging services. This important legislation is the top priority of our 2023 legislative agenda, and LeadingAge Minnesota was thrilled to work with bill sponsor Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina) to produce a strong hearing.
Governor Releases Budget Proposal that Increases Elderly Waiver Rates while Giving Care Centers Almost Nothing
On January 26, 2023 by LeadingAge
This week Governor Tim Walz released his budget proposal, a mixed bag for long-term care providers. While it acknowledges and takes steps to address the underfunding of the Elderly Waiver (EW) program, it does nothing meaningful to address the staffing shortages and resulting access problems in the care center sector.
Gov. Walz Releases Proposed Workforce Budget; Implications for Long-Term Care
On January 19, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This morning, Governor Tim Walz released a preview of his proposed budget addressing Minnesota's workforce challenges. This preview covers a variety of sectors and includes some investments benefitting aging services.
Early Attention Paid to Long-Term Care Funding in Minnesota Senate
On January 12, 2023 by Kayla Khang
The Caregiver Stabilization Act (SF 7) was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday afternoon.
Adult Day Sector Still Struggling to Recover from the Pandemic
On January 12, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota completed a survey of our adult day services members to evaluate their financial health and the challenges they are facing in recovering from the impacts of the Covid pandemic. The results make clear that adult day service providers face many challenges as they attempt to maintain this vital part of the network of services for the elderly and disabled.
Six Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that six care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals in February, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by April 6.
DHS to Offset Employee Retention Credits from Care Center Rates
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed us that they intend to offset the revenue from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC) from care center costs based on the wages and taxes used in the ERC application. That means that some care centers will see reductions in their rate for the rate year that started this Jan. 1. DHS auditors have begun requesting detailed information from care centers that have applied for the ERC to determine these offsets.
With Session Starting Jan. 3, LeadingAge Minnesota Finalizes 2023 Legislative Agenda
On December 22, 2022 by Erin Huppert
The Minnesota Legislature will convene on Jan. 3, 2023. LeadingAge Minnesota has finalized its member-developed, board-approved legislative priorities for the upcoming session. At the top of the list: ensuring providers across the continuum of care have the resources needed to ensure access to care for Minnesota's seniors and pay caregivers the wages they deserve.