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.
Nominate Your Team Members and Organization for Stars Among Us Awards
On July 11, 2024 by Barbara Landeen
Nominations are open for the 2025 Stars Among Us Awards for outstanding individuals and organizational achievements.
Less than Two Weeks Left to Comment on Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Minimum Wage Rule
On July 11, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
The first Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board rule is currently open for public comments until July 24. The proposed rule would require minimum wages of $22.50 for CNAs, $23.50 for TMAs, $27 for LPNs and $19 for all other nursing home employees effective January 1, 2026.
Disaster and Emergency Planning Resources for Members of LeadingAge Minnesota
On June 27, 2024 by LeadingAge
As Minnesota grapples with serious weather events throughout the state, LeadingAge Minnesota wanted to refresh a list of resources and steps we are taking to support members who may be impacted.
2024 Legislative Report Available Now
On June 27, 2024 by Kayla Khang
LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to present the 2024 Minnesota Session Legislative Report. This comprehensive document outlines the key laws affecting aging services and the seniors in your care, detailing their impact, effective dates, and recommended actions for your organization.
Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Minimum Wage Rule Published
On June 27, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
The first Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board rule was officially published in the state register earlier this week.
Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Gives Final Approval to Minimum Wage Rule
On June 20, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
As expected, the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board moved last week to officially adopt a proposed rule that establishes minimum wages for nursing home employees.
QSO-24-13-NH Revised Guidance for Long-Term Care Facility Assessments Released Yesterday
On June 20, 2024 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released QSO-24-13-NH providing guidance for nursing homes regarding the long-term care facility assessment requirements. LeadingAge Minnesota adapted the facility assessment from Quality Improvement Organizations to include the new requirements in a template for members. Access the Facility Assessment Tool here.
Now Open: Registration for the Assisted Living Conference
On June 13, 2024 by Sharon Hollister
Join us for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Assisted Living Conference on Aug. 14-15 at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. As an aging services professional you will find the training topics, timely updates, and resources you need to confidently meet state requirements and provide quality care for seniors.
More MDH Anonymous Feedback Results are In!
On June 13, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made public its anonymous survey process feedback results to date. After its initial launch in summer 2023, an unexpected software issue impacted the collection process resulting in a short delay of collection efforts. After its relaunch in October, the results of the anonymous feedback tool are now available.
Nurse Aide Training Programs — Update your curriculum by June 30
On June 6, 2024 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that nurse aide training programs using the “Minnesota State Long-Term Care Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Curriculum” must transition to a new curriculum by June 30.
National LeadingAge Policy Call to Change
On June 6, 2024 by Mark Schulz
LeadingAge announced yesterday it will be revamping its Monday/Wednesday afternoon policy update calls.
Members can expect to receive more information directly from LeadingAge via the LeadingAge daily morning newsletter or reading the revision on their website.
What’s changing
LeadingAge is excited to launch a new members-only briefing and analysis call with our experts, “National Policy Pulse,” every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET, beginning June 17. There will no longer also be a Wednesday afternoon call. LeadingAge members will still have timely and important updates from LeadingAge experts on policy, workforce, and more—just once on Monday and for members only. Also, you will have access to resources, handouts, and recordings of recent calls on the new landing page so you can always keep the Pulse on national policy!
How to register
The daily email will contain a registration link for the New Members-Only National Policy Pulse Call.
If you are registered for the current Monday and Wednesday policy update calls, these will end after Wednesday, June 12. You must register for the new National Policy Pulse call that begins Monday, June 17. Your registration will keep you on the list for all calls in 2024, and LeadingAge will send a new registration link to members for calls in 2025.
Resources
- Register for the new policy call here
- Locate past policy call recordings, slides, and resources here
Please reach out to Mark Schulz with questions.
Bed Assist Bar Recalled
On June 6, 2024 by Kari Everson
On May 30, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Medline announced a recall of two adult portable bed assist bar models.
LeadingAge Minnesota Welcomes Honorable Principal Secretary from the Kenya State Department for Diaspora Affairs at Ebenezer Ridges
On May 30, 2024 by Anna Mowry
Yesterday, LeadingAge Minnesota, in partnership with Ebenezer Ridges Campus, hosted a special event to welcome Honorable Principal Secretary of Kenya Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu, and representatives from the Kenya State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
LeadingAge to File to Join Lawsuit to Halt Nursing Home Staffing Mandates Implementation
On May 30, 2024 by LeadingAge
Advancing the aggressive, multi-faceted strategy announced May 22, president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan on May 24 told members that LeadingAge intends to join the American Health Care Association lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Is Your Organization’s Profile on CaringCareersStartHere.com?
On May 23, 2024 by Anna Mowry
Long-term care providers can get matched to job seekers on CaringCareersStartHere.com – a resource dedicated to helping Minnesotans make a meaningful move into careers in aging services.
Message from LeadingAge National’s President, Katie Sloan
On May 23, 2024 by LeadingAge
As you know, here in Washington D.C., and in collaboration with our state partners nationwide, we have for months urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to get long-term care workforce issues right.
2024 Legislative Session in Minnesota Concludes in Chaos
On May 23, 2024 by Erin Huppert
The end of the 2024 legislative session came to a chaotic close as both chambers devolved into disorder shortly before midnight on Sunday evening.
Long-Term Care Leaders Express Strong Disappointment in Final HHS Bill
On May 20, 2024 by Erin Huppert
Last night, the members of the Minnesota legislature adopted the Human Services Finance Omnibus Conference Committee Report, Senate File 5335. While the final report includes support for a handful of Nursing Homes in Minnesota, it takes major steps backwards in our shared goal of improving access to care for seniors in Minnesota and paying our caregivers a livable wage.
Last Push to Advocate on Behalf of Seniors and Caregivers
On May 16, 2024 by LeadingAge
This year’s legislative session is quickly coming to an end, with a constitutional deadline on Monday, May 20th.
US House Resolution Introduced to Overturn Final Staffing Rule
On May 16, 2024 by LeadingAge
Representatives Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) and Greg Pence (R-IN) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to overturn the final minimum staffing rule. The resolution was introduced May 10, the same day the final rule was published in the Federal Register.