News

This week, legislation that would establish implementation timelines for Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly received hearings in the House and Senate Committees on Human Services. Testimony on the bill featured speakers from LeadingAge Minnesota members including Presbyterian Homes and Volunteers of America. 

Late last week, Governor Walz released his revised budget proposal for the next two years, which continues to propose balancing the state budget on the backs of seniors and those who care for them.

Three new resources have recently been added to the Governance Resource Center to use with your nonprofit governing board. These resources are free of charge to LeadingAge Minnesota Members with your member login required.

On Wednesday, more than 100 LeadingAge Minnesota members gathered at the Fairview Community Health and Wellness Hub for our annual Day at the Capitol. This event provided a crucial opportunity for members to engage with legislators and advocate for key issues affecting long-term care providers and the individuals they serve.

This was a big week at the Legislature, with committees speeding toward an April 3^rd deadline to hear all policy-related bills hoping to be passed this year. LeadingAge Minnesota and its Imperative partner provided testimony and feedback on ten bills this week, including three legislative priorities on our 2025 agenda.

Next Thursday, March 20, is the deadline for registering a team for this year’s ICan Quality Improvement Contest. The contest involves developing and implementing a Quality Improvement project identified and led by front-line staff.

DHS recently updated the provider associations on the financially distressed nursing facility program. That program was created by the 2023 Legislature to provide interest free loans to nursing facilities that are at risk of closure due to operating losses. DHS has now worked through the first round of applications for those funds.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed its desired continuing resolution (CR) to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September on a vote of 217-213.

Minnesota lawmakers received an updated budget forecast today that increases the chances that they will need to consider budget cuts to address future deficits. The forecast predicts a $456 Million surplus by the end of June 2027, down by $150 million since the last forecast in November of last year.

The LTC Imperative recently completed a Workforce and Financial Data Survey and a Nursing Home Occupancy Survey. Thanks to all the members who contributed their data to those surveys.

This morning, HF500, a bill that restores important guardrails on the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, was passed out of the House Labor & Workforce Committee and sent to the floor to await debate before the full body.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and join us for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Day at the Capitol—your opportunity to advocate for aging services and make a lasting impact on the lawmakers and policies that shape senior care in Minnesota.

On Thursday, Feb. 27, LeadingAge Minnesota and our Imperative partner testified in support of HF1419 and HF500. Each bill was introduced in the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee – HF1419 would fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s (NHWSB) mandates and provide an annual update to the Elderly Waiver rates. HF500 would prevent any standards from going into effect unless they are fully funded by the legislature this year.

Each year, our Stars Among Us Awards recognize incredible individuals – whether staff, volunteers, or leaders – and entire organizations who demonstrate unique commitment to transforming and enhancing the experience of aging across Minnesota.

This week, Senate Human Services Committee members took public testimony on the Governor's budget, which outlines significant cuts to services for people with disabilities, older adults, and Minnesota counties. This was a critical forum for Minnesotans and their providers to give specific examples of the harm this budget would cause.

Earlier this week, LeadingAge MN Vice President of Advocacy, Erin Huppert, testified before the House Human Services Policy & Finance Committee to share serious concerns and opposition to Governor Walz' proposed budget.

Late Wednesday night, House Republicans and House Democrats finally reached a power sharing agreement, three weeks after the legislative session began.

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.

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.

Updated LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal benchmark reports are available for workforce measures, including staff vacancies, retention, and turnover.