News

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.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to offer over $55,000 in educational scholarships to eligible caregivers and other employees of our member organizations for 2025. Investing in the professional development of the aging services workforce is more important now than it has ever been.

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.

The LeadingAge Minnesota QUEST Report is now available for third quarter 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.