News

If it feels like oversight activity is ramping up, you’re not imagining it. Between enhanced claim reviews, focused federal audits, and Minnesota’s revalidation push, providers are operating in a more scrutiny-heavy environment. The good news? None of this is unmanageable if you know what’s coming and stay organized.

As reported on our social media channels and in Capitol Conversations last week, the “free the happy hour” bill was signed into law on April 21. Earlier this week, the Star Tribune and MinnPost both covered the policy change.

This week, vastly different versions of a Human Services Policy Bill advanced in both the House and Senate.

On Feb. 12, the Department of Human Services (DHS) published new ratings and corrected previously published ratings for its Assisted Living Report Card.  

If you asked most assisted living leaders what they would improve tomorrow with the right funding, you’d likely hear the same themes: staffing, training, safety, and resident quality of life. The challenge isn’t identifying the need—it’s finding the resources to act. The Minnesota Assisted Living Competitive Grant offers a path to turn those priorities into reality.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is committed to supporting long-term care (LTC) professionals in MN who are working in infection prevention and control (IPC)related roles. In support of this effort, MDH contracted with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) to provide FREE national and state membership to qualified staff working in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota.

The federal push to standardize quality in home and community-based services (HCBS) just got a lot more concrete, and a bit more complicated.

As reported by LeadingAge National, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken a more stringent approach to reviewing Form I-9 documentation, raising compliance risks for employers.

In March 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released two reports examining how nursing homes administer antipsychotic medications to residents.

Last week, we shared a new resource to help aging services providers strengthen their workforce by improving how they recruit, support, and advance New Americans. Since then, many of you have begun exploring the guide and considering how it applies to your organization.

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care has opened the application period for the 2026 Workplace Safety Grants for Health Care Entities. Application submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on June 12.

Across member organizations, code status documentation continues to be a common driver of regulatory citations often tied to inconsistencies in how resident wishes are captured, verified, and communicated across care settings.

We have one final opportunity this week to come together, learn, and strengthen our work. Our webinar series has created something special—a space for real connection, honest conversation, and practical ideas you can bring back to your team right away. If you’ve been meaning to join, we welcome you tomorrow, Friday, May 1.

A review of mechanical lift–related falls in Quarter 4 of 2025 reveals clear, recurring patterns. These events highlight system-level gaps that can be addressed with reliable processes and consistent practices.

Last week, we introduced a new resource designed to support aging services providers in strengthening their workforce, and the response has been strong. If you haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, now is the perfect time to take a closer look and start putting it into action.