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For nearly 30 years, the Senior LinkAge Line has been Minnesota’s primary aging resource connecting older Minnesotans, caregivers and others to the services and supports they need.

LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comprehensive comments to strengthen the State of Minnesota’s application to CMS’ new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Our recommendations emphasize workforce solutions, improved access to care, and sustainable models for aging services in rural communities—ensuring older Minnesotans can continue to receive care close to home.

Late last week, we were asked by The Minnesota Star Tribune to provide comment on an article about a supposed trend of more seniors choosing assisted living than nursing homes. Despite our best efforts to obtain more information regarding these “trends,” the piece was already moving toward publication. We chose to provide a statement, which was included in the published article.

Congress did not reach agreement on appropriations for federal fiscal year 2026, and the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. HHS, CMS, and CDC have issued contingency and lapse plans outlining which activities will continue and which will pause. HUD has notified LeadingAge that they will be updating their contingency plan, leaning heavily on plans written in 2023.

District Meetings Begin Oct. 7.  

Fall District Meetings start Oct. 7 – featuring fire safety preparedness and expanding workforce. Join your regional colleagues for connection, education, and lunch. Includes 2 free CEUs. 

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to announce a new partnership with Reemo Health, a company delivering innovative technology solutions designed to support older adults and enhance independent living.

We’re excited to share news from LeadingAge Minnesota member, St. Francis Health Services of Morris. This month, they announced the launch of the St. Francis Legacy Foundation, a new effort to protect access to quality care in Minnesota communities.

LeadingAge Minnesota is hosting two consecutive webinars on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 1–3 p.m. to help providers prepare for the Jan. 1, 2026 implementation of Minnesota’s new Paid Leave law. Sessions will provide practical details and strategic guidance on navigating the state’s complex web of leave requirements. 

A few weeks ago, DHS posted new rates for nursing homes on the nursing facility portal. The rate notices are incorrectly labeled as Jan. 1 rates, but they are effective Oct. 1.

On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its motion to dismiss their appeal for our lawsuit challenging the CMS Minimum Staffing Rule.

Health Dimensions Group^® (HDG^®), a leading senior living, post-acute, and long-term care management and consulting firm based in Minneapolis, Minn., has named Erin Hilligan as its chief operating officer (COO). With this role, Hilligan joins HDG’s Executive Leadership Team.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has begun issuing the calendar year 2025 Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) grant award notices to renew grants for the current year.

The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act has been reintroduced – a federal bill that proposes to recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused immigrant visas—25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians.

DHS has compiled a helpful summary of all changes made in the 2025 legislature that affect providers of Adult Day Services.

Celebrating a Legacy of Vision, Service, and Leadership in Aging Services

LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to honor Bob Dahl, outgoing President and CEO of Cassia, with our prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award — one of the highest honors bestowed by the association. Reserved for individuals who are retiring from a career of distinction in aging services, the award recognizes visionary leadership, enduring impact, and a legacy that inspires future generations.

On September 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) notified our plaintiff attorneys that it intends to dismiss its appeal in the CMS Staffing Rule challenge. Plaintiff attorneys consented to this action, and the government’s filing and subsequent court order of dismissal are expected in the near future. This marks a major victory and is the direct result of your dedication, advocacy, and hard work—congratulations!

Operators of independent living senior housing communities are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you! This virtual networking meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16th from 10 to 11 a.m. 

If this meeting isn’t on your calendar, email Shelli Bakken and you’ll receive an invite.    

Do you have a Tricky Situation to share with the group? A case study review will be shared with an opportunity for those on the call to weigh in on ideas for resolution. Your experience will be key! Bring an idea you have for discussion to this or to future meetings. 

Nursing home members should be aware that they need to submit a minimum wage rate add-on application to DHS in just over two weeks. DHS has provided an application and written instructions to apply for the rate add-on. They also have produced an instructional video that talks through how nursing homes should complete the application as well as a set of guidance in response to issues with some of the early arriving applications. 

The add-on will be calculated using two months of actual wage data for individuals below the minimum standards, then annualized and calculated as a per day rate adjustment that will appear on nursing homes’ 2026 and 2027 rates in the external fixed category where it is not subject to the operating rate caps that will apply starting in 2026. Important note: Applications submitted after Oct. 1 will not be considered, so providers need to get the form completed and returned to receive the funding they are entitled to. Please contact Jeff Bostic with any questions.  

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking proposals for the Drive for Five Initiative Competitive Grants to conduct outreach, provide education and training, and job placement in high-demand fields, including the caring professions.

You can now use e-Services to create and submit 2025 Certificates of Rent Paid (CRPs). By making 2025 CRPs available now, you have the option to create CRPs for renters who move before the end of the year. You must give each renter a CRP by January 31 of each year.

The Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority recently announced an expansion of its services, as the state agency is now able to assist nonprofit healthcare organizations across the state. This enhancement is a direct result of legislation approved in 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated recommendations for flu vaccination for the 2025–2026 flu season. On August 28, 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the guidance that will shape flu prevention efforts nationwide.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s VP of Clinical Services, Kari Everson, recently had an opportunity to speak with Minnesota Board of Nursing Executive Director Caryn Gaytko, not to recap policy, but to get to know the leader behind the title. The goal was simple: build a stronger working relationship, understand Caryn’s leadership approach and values firsthand, and open a clear line of communication between the Board and Minnesota’s long-term care community.

In late August, the public health community was surprised by news that Senate-confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez was terminated, along with the temporary departure of three top CDC officials. The decision followed Director Monarez’s reported refusal to sign off on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The 2025 Legislature approved a transition of the nursing home case mix system from RUGs to PDPM. DHS has now produced new rates for nursing homes and posted them on the nursing facility portal.

LeadingAge learned this week of a move within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to execute on President Trump’s March 1 English-as-America’s-official-language Executive Order (EO) by replacing the agency’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) policy with an English-only policy.

Memo

In a memo to HUD employees, HUD deputy secretary Andrew D. Hughes stated that the EO will “enhance social and economic integration,” and reports that the agency will no longer have contracts for translation services for documents or communications, and all paper and online materials in languages other than English would be removed. HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated on Fox News, “… HUD will solely use English for all Departmental business and services. We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission.”

Previously, HUD had a practice of translating materials like resident brochures, documents, and forms into nearly 20 languages.

LeadingAge National confirmed the announcement with HUD leadership, who said that the change would take effect “immediately.” However, next steps and timelines for removing materials and ending contracts is currently unclear, and as of August 20, several translated materials are still available online through HUD’s LEP webpage.

LeadingAge National is working to save translated materials that housing providers may need in order to serve households with diverse LEP needs. Providers are encouraged to consider doing the same, particularly for documents that you use frequently for the population you serve.

The 2025 Legislature approved a temporary rate add-on to cover the cost of raising employees to the minimum wage levels passed by the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. This step was taken based on strong advocacy by the LTC Imperative. We have long-argued, even before the Board’s creation, that any standards it approves which increase costs for providers must have upfront funding to be workable. 

Application Details

DHS has now developed an application and written instructions to apply for the rate add-on. They also recently produced an instructional video that talks through how nursing homes should complete the application.  

The add-on will be calculated using two months of actual wage data for individuals below the minimum standards, then annualized and calculated as a per day rate adjustment that will appear on nursing homes’ 2026 and 2027 rates in the external fixed category where it is not subject to the operating rate caps that will apply starting in 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1 to receive a rate increase, so member nursing homes are strongly encourage to complete and return the application forms to DHS quickly. 

In breaking news earlier this week, a Ramsey County district judge struck down a provision in a 2024 session law, which raises questions about future legislatures and how public policies, including aging services, may be enacted moving forward. 

The session law in question, coined the “Megabus Bill”, was enacted in the final minutes of the 2024 regular session. It was originally advanced as a tax bill before lawmakers added a number of omnibus supplemental budget and policy bills to the language. In total, over 1,400 pages were passed in a controversial voice vote before adjournment.  
 
No immediate impact to aging services 

There is nothing immediate to be done. Many of the provisions in the Megabus bill related to aging were separately passed by both chambers as a stand-alone human services omnibus law, in addition to being folded into the 1,400 page bill. As a result, those specific budget and policy items would remain intact, even if the Megabus bill was stricken in its entirety.   

A deeper look 

The judge’s ruling was narrowly crafted to apply only to the issue raised by plaintiffs, but he left the door open to other legal challenges. Most intriguing to note, his ruling acknowledges the increasingly common practice of the legislature to rely on omnibus bills to enact laws. His ruling, along with subsequent opinions from other legal experts, has re-ignited an ongoing debate about the application of omnibus bills that make sweeping changes to the state’s budget and regulatory environment.  

For our sector, this practice has both helped aging services in providing vehicles to advance our policy objectives but has also produced setbacks when an unfavorable policy is incorporated into a larger bill that has majority support. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the 2026 Legislature, which is scheduled to convene on February 17th of next year. 

Operators of independent senior housing communities are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you! This virtual networking meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 19^th from 10 to 11 a.m.

If you are an operator of a HUD community, you are invited to join our upcoming quarterly networking group. Get together with other operators to network, share best practices, and get the latest updates related to HUD.