Guardian Pharmacy hosted its 7^th Annual Legislative Roundtable Discussion in St. Cloud yesterday. The event drew eight area lawmakers and more than 50 providers of aging services from care centers, housing with services and adult foster care from central Minnesota. 

The eight legislators in attendance were Senator Jerry Relph, Rep. Jeff Howe, Rep. John Poston, Rep. Tama Theis, Sen. Melissa Franzen, Rep. Dean Urdahl, Rep. Nick Zerwas, Sen. John Hoffman.  

Providers raised a number of concerns, including low reimbursement for Medicaid-funded home and community-based services, workforce shortages and the past year’s discussion on elder abuse and neglect.  

The bipartisan legislator panel was mostly in listening mode but was eager to hear from providers about their concerns and their ideas for change. All agreed that the Minnesota Legislature should do more to reach across the aisle to help address concerns raised by the providers in the room.  

Special thanks to Mark Boe, President of Guardian Pharmacy, who organized this event.