News
Category: Featured News
Welcome to the Featured News category. The following news items include major developments in the aging services world, as well as important notifications and timely reminders.
LeadingAge Minnesota QUEST Report – Q3, 2024
On February 6, 2025 by Julie Apold
The LeadingAge Minnesota QUEST Report is now available for third quarter 2024.
Join an Advisory Council to Support our Immigrant and Refugee Workforce
On February 6, 2025 by Kirstan Ketter
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is seeking employers and immigrant caregivers to join our two new advisory councils to support New Americans looking to find meaningful careers in senior care.
Minnesota House Returns to Official Work
On February 6, 2025 by Erin Huppert
Late Wednesday night, House Republicans and House Democrats finally reached a power sharing agreement, three weeks after the legislative session began.
LeadingAge Launches Leadership Diversity Fellowship
On January 30, 2025 by Anna Mowry
A $250,000 grant from the Next50 Foundation will allow LeadingAge, our national partner, to establish a Leadership Diversity Fellowship pilot program to help a high-potential, racially and ethnically diverse group of 10 fellows enter the field of aging services.
PACE Report Heard in Senate Human Services
On January 30, 2025 by Kayla Khang
On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Human Services Committee held an informational hearing on the PACE Report and Actuarial Analysis. Long-time champions for seniors and their caregivers, Chair Hoffman and Former Chair Abeler expressed their strong support for PACE.
Protect Access to Senior Care – Join Us for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Day at the Capitol!
On January 30, 2025 by Kayla Khang
The Governor has proposed over $200 million in cuts to senior services while the demand for care only increases. We need you to help ensure the Legislature rejects his plan for older adults and protects access to care.
New Data Portal Compensation Data Shows Continuing Decline in Employee Vacancy Rates
On January 23, 2025 by Jeff Bostic
Updated LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal benchmark reports are available for workforce measures, including staff vacancies, retention, and turnover.
Urge Your Lawmaker to Reject Governor Walz’s Proposed Budget
On January 23, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Governor Walz’s released his proposed budget on Jan. 16 (see LTCI Statement on it here), which proposes to make big cuts to long-term care. LeadingAge Minnesota and our Imperative partner have come out strongly in opposition to the Governor’s proposed budget, which amounts to a slap in the face to Minnesota’s seniors, their families, and the dedicated caregivers.
LeadingAge MN Testifies in Opposition to the Governor’s Proposed Budget Cuts to Aging Services
On January 23, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Today (Thurs. Jan 23), LeadingAge MN Vice President of Advocacy, Erin Huppert, testified before the House Human Services Policy & Finance Committee to share serious concerns with and opposition to Governor Walz's proposed budget, which was released on Jan. 16, 2025.
Litigation Update – State Association CMS Minimum Staffing Lawsuit
On January 16, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On Dec. 5, 2024, Judge Leonard Strand, who is presiding over the lawsuit filed by LeadingAge Minnesota and other LeadingAge state affiliates and state Attorneys General to challenge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Minimum Staffing Rule, held a hearing on our motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the rule’s enforcement and implementation.
Holiday Pay Litigation Update - Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
On January 16, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Last week, our attorney filed an amended complaint in our legal challenge of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s (NHWSB) Holiday Pay Rule. The amended complaint included more information about the harms suffered by our members because of implementing the Holiday Pay Rule at their nursing homes.
Governor Walz Releases Budget with Major Cuts to Long-Term Care
On January 16, 2025 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier today, Governor Walz released his budget proposal for the next two years, which amounts to an extremely disappointing proposal that balances the state budget on the backs of seniors and those who care for them. The combination of impacts, particularly for nursing homes, is almost certain to lead to a decline in access due to increased likelihood of closures, especially in rural areas.
DEED: Regulations and Demographics Converge to Create a Momentous Long-Term Care Workforce Challenge
On January 9, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) new article highlights the looming impact of federal minimum staffing regulations on Minnesota's nursing homes.
Minnesota’s 2025 Legislative Session: Unprecedented Power Struggles and Uncertainty Loom Ahead of Next Week
On January 9, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota
The Minnesota legislature is set to convene for the 2025 session next week, Tuesday, Jan. 14, under extraordinary conditions. Notably, earlier this week, House DFLers threatened not to show up on the first day of the legislative session if a power-sharing agreement is not reached.
Boost Your Hiring: Exclusive Job Post Savings for the New Year
On January 2, 2025 by Anna Mowry
Post your open positions with a new member-only discount on AgingServicesJobs.org – the premier job board for aging services employers to post their critical-to-fill positions and get connected with qualified applicants.
Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Soon Available in Three Additional Languages
On January 2, 2025 by Anna Mowry
Starting Jan. 27, 2025, the nurse aide knowledge test will be available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, in addition to English, as allowed by Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61.
New Minnesota Laws Effective January 1, 2025
On January 2, 2025 by Erin Huppert
Several new laws impacting aging services took effect on Jan. 1. We’ve included a summary below – members are encouraged to review the 2024 Legislative Report for full impact analyses and links to session law.
2025 Leadership Academy Applications Open
On December 19, 2024 by Barbara Landeen
Applications are open for the 2025 Leadership Academy, a nine-month journey designed to build and strengthen key leadership skills for aging services professionals.
NLRB Returns to Pro-Bargaining Standard, Impacting Employer Actions
On December 19, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has made a significant policy shift back to a more pro-union stance, reinstating the "clear and unmistakable waiver" standard.
Litigation Update – Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
On December 19, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The Holiday Pay rule was officially entered into the State Register on December 9, with state enforcement of the rule set to begin on Jan. 1, 2025.