July 25, 2024
Featured Newd
Comment Letter Thank You and Action Alert for Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
On July 25, 2024 by Mark Schulz
Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, Jul. 24) marked the closing of the public comment period on the first Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board proposed rule about minimum wages.
While this opportunity to influence its outcome has passed, we are now looking to influence legislators and the governor’s office with a dedicated Action Alert effort. Please join LeadingAge Minnesota in continuing to advocate on this issue.
Thank you
First, we’d like to extend a sincere “Thank You!” to all members who submitted a comment letter in response to this proposed rule. We appreciate the time, energy, and effort you took to ensure your voice was heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) judge, who now has this matter before them. That judge will review all comments and make his decision on the issue in the coming weeks. When his decision on the proposed rule becomes public, we will inform you of the results. Stay tuned to Advantage for an update.
Resources still available
If you are unfamiliar with the proposed minimum wage rule, or its potential impact on the long-term care services provider spectrum, you can review a variety of resources describing it and its detrimental impact on our Workforce Standard Board page. Here, members can find a description of the proposed rule, a financial impact calculator, and the comment letters LeadingAge Minnesota submitted to the OAH on the matter. These resources will remain available to members for an extended period even though the comment period for this proposed rule has closed.
Action Alert
If you didn’t have the chance to submit comments regarding the proposed minimum wage rule, do not worry. In anticipation of the next steps of the rulemaking process, LeadingAge Minnesota is now shifting its advocacy efforts to the next required procedural step of approval—the Governor’s Office. We are assuming the proposed rule will eventually make its way to the office where the Governor can choose to permit the proposed rules to become effective or veto them.
Questions
For questions about the proposed rule, contact either Jeff Bostic or Mark Schulz. For questions about the Action Alert, contact Dan Nelson.
State News
Apply for CMP Communicative Technology Grant Funding
On July 25, 2024 by Julie Apold
Grants are still available through the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative to purchase technology devices. Eligible devices must enable communication between facility residents and their loved ones and/or healthcare providers.
Applications are currently being accepted from Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in this opportunity and have not already been approved for grant funds for this purpose.
Find more information and the application form on the state CMP Initiative website under the link entitled “Communicative Technology Grants.”
For more information on the Minnesota CMP initiative or questions on this or other CMP funding opportunities, contact Munna Yasiri, Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Find more loans, scholarships, and grants
Members can find more grant opportunities with our resource, Grant Grid: Funding Opportunities for Minnesota Aging Services Providers. This comprehensive grid contains information on over 25 grants, scholarships, loans, workforce development programs, and more funding opportunities for providers to consider.
Assisted Living Facilities Required to Make Available Survey Plans of Correction
On July 25, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
Effective Aug. 1, 2024, Assisted Living Facilities are required to make available a copy of the facility’s most recent plan of correction documenting the actions taken by the facility to comply with the correction orders.
Provide Copy of Plan
This must be done in a manner readily accessible to residents and others. Additionally, a paper copy must be made available upon request.
When requested, after the plan of correction is made available, a copy must be provided within 30 days and in a format determined by the facility, except the facility must make reasonable accommodations in providing the plan of correction in another format, including a paper copy, upon request.
As you determine how your facility will make the plan available, consider if residents and others will have ready access to the posting, whether in your facility or on your website, and how you will communicate the availability of the plan.
Prior to Aug. 1, 2024, Assisted Living Facilities were required to develop a plan of correction by the correction order date, document the plan in their records, and provide the plan and the facility's actions to respond to the correction orders to MDH upon request. The change in the statute now requires that the plan be made available to residents and others.
Interpretation of Compliance
LeadingAge Minnesota has several clarifying questions that are being posed to the MN Department of Health related to their interpretation of compliance with this new requirement. Watch for updates in upcoming issues of Advantage.
DHS Delivering Second Round of Aug. 1 Payments
On July 25, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
Based on action by the 2023 Legislature, DHS is about to distribute the second round of lump sum payments to nursing homes. Those payments will be processed on July 30 and will complete the payments under this program.
Second Round of Payments
These payments are all state funds, and the formula for the second payment is a base of $112,500 plus $2,062.12 per active bed. The per bed amount last year was $2,008.25, but the amount has increased because nursing homes that closed since Aug. 1, 2023 are not part of this year’s payments.
The statute creating these payments allows the funds to be used for paying off debt or investing in the property, provided that investment is not claimed for a property rate increase. DHS has developed an FAQ (insert link to document from folder) that can help nursing homes determine whether specific uses are acceptable. Funds must be used by Sept. 30, 2025 and will be subject to audit and recovery after that time.
Federal News
Notable News
Member News
Episcopal Homes of Minnesota Participates in Long-Term Care Facility Summit at the White House
On July 25, 2024 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Episcopal Homes of Minnesota was recently selected to attend the Long-Term Care Leadership Summit 3.0 at the White House.
Director of Nursing Represents Episcopal Homes at White House
Episcopal Homes was one of three nursing home providers nationwide that was invited to participate in this Summit, which took place on July 18, 2024. The Summit focused on respiratory virus vaccines and preparation for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season.
Episcopal Homes of Minnesota proudly sent Inez Kalle, Director of Nursing, to attend and present Episcopal Homes’ successful vaccination strategy. Inez has dedicated years of her career to senior care, so she was well-placed to discuss Episcopal Homes high vaccination rates for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Inez summarized Episcopal Homes’ achievement, stating: “It was about trust, education, transparency, and information.” These core principles guided Episcopal Homes’ approach to vaccination, ensuring that residents and staff were well-informed and confident in their decisions. They prioritized open communication, providing clear and reliable information about the vaccines' safety and efficacy. Episcopal Homes’ medical director also made rounds and helped answer questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine to help ease people’s concerns. This transparency fostered trust among their community, empowering everyone to make informed choices for their health.
Ensuring Heath and Safety
Moving forward, Inez will continue to collaborate as a partner with others from the Summit to collectively protect the health of long-term care residents, their families, and the staff who care for them.
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was first published on Episcopal Homes of Minnesota’s website here.
Education Solutions
On-Demand Webinars - Learn from Anywhere
On July 25, 2024 by Sharon Hollister
LeadingAge Minnesota has a selection of on-demand webinars approved for clock hours. Nine new webinars from the 2024 Virtual Institute have been added on various topics.
Get the training you need without having to leave your setting.
View the options and purchase to start your learning today.