News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Earlier this week, the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board rule that would require eleven paid holidays took the final step toward approval and implementation, which is due to start Jan. 1, 2025.

Mark your calendar and register for LeadingAge Minnesota’s first District Meeting of 2025. Scheduled for January 16, the agenda for this virtual meeting features:

This Thanksgiving season, as we gather with loved ones and reflect on all we’re grateful for, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is thankful for our elders and excited to help tackle challenges they face in rural areas of the state.