News

A team of program assistants from the Minnesota Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Adult Day Center are the first recipients of the Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota. Olubunmi Gbadamosi, Mary Falkowski, Maggie McGown and Gloria Smith were recognized for their work to reduce falls among clients who attend the Adult Day Center.  

Not sure how the outcomes of the 2019 legislative session affect you, your staff and the people you serve? Then you won't want to miss June District meetings. 

The special session that was required to complete work on the state budget ended in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 25. Given all the challenges of the session, with its focus on addressing elder abuse and assisted living oversight and an unexpected proposal to cut funding for senior care, our successes were only made possible by the tireless and unprecedented grassroots advocacy of our members. In the end, we were able pass the historic Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 and hold off rate cuts for care centers and reductions to Elderly Waiver caps. We also know that there is significant work ahead and issues that were largely unaddressed this year, including Elderly Waiver funding reform and addressing the caregiving workforce shortage. 

The outcome of the short legislative special session last week turned out to be much more positive for care centers than we had feared for the last few months. The proposed cuts in operating rates, which were in the Governor’s budget proposal and the House budget bill, were dropped from the final Health and Human Services (HHS) budget bill due to objections by the Senate.  

In the final hours of the 2019 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature passed landmark legislation that ushers in the next generation of assisted living services. The new framework provides greater clarity and transparency for consumers, strengthened regulatory oversight and consumer protection, and maintains a model of senior living that supports choice, options and the opportunity to age in place. We know you have questions about this legislation and what it means to you, your operations and the people you serve. Here are three immediate ways to learn more and a way to provide us with your feedback: 

The 2019 legislative session came to an end on May 20 with most of this year’s budget bills unfinished, including the Health and Human Services Finance bill. A special session will be required to get these bills across the finish line. What does that mean for us? We just gained the gift of time in our fight to stop the devastating nursing home cuts proposed by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota House. But time is running out – the special session may take place on Thursday and Friday. 

LeadingAge Minnesota has agreed along with its Imperative partner and organizations representing consumers and their families to support an historic compromise bill to enhance regulatory oversight and consumer protection in assisted living settings and nursing homes.  

Unfortunately, cuts to care centers are still on the table at the Capitol. But we still have time to act!  

The LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors will meet for their annual planning retreat in June to review how the Association is meeting member needs. In advance of that, they hope to hear from members in the 2019 Member Value Survey.  

In just a few short weeks, LeadingAge Minnesota will release the list of members who have made the Safe Care for Seniors pledge and are committed to the 5-Step Action Plan. Are you on the list?

Long term care providers in Minnesota have a lot on their plates. As much as you may want to build your workforce pipeline by starting a Nursing Assistant Training Program, it may feel like more work than you can handle. 

With less than 2 weeks to go in the legislative session, much work remains to be done. LeadingAge MN and its members are in the trenches advocating for our priorities and leaving no stone unturned as we push to the finish line. Here is a quick update on where things stand: 

Safe Care for Seniors is a movement that we will bolster through the support of all who live and work in in our communities, and those who help guide our work. One key group to engage is your Board of Directors. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted to its website Information Bulletin 19-02: Update: MDH Nursing Home Facility Reporting Related to Federal Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, or Mistreatment; and Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act.  

The Legislature returned from its spring recess and picked up the pace on passing its major finance bills, including the Health and Human Services budget. 

The final Safe Care for Seniors workshop has been scheduled. It will take place Monday, May 13 at LeadingAge Minnesota in Saint Paul. See the Workshop Conference Brochure and Register Today!   

As we reported previously in Advantage, the Nursing Home Compare Five Star Rating system has implemented some significant updates effective today (April 24) that could reduce scores for many providers. We have prepared an Issue Paper to help members understand how these scoring changes work as well as provide suggested talking points for use with external stakeholders.  

Our recent Housing with Services (HWS) legislative survey shows mixed results on the key workforce indicators we track annually. While employee vacancy rates declined for all HWS staff, employee turnover rose dramatically for home care aides. 

The House is scheduled to vote on the Health and Human Services Finance Bill (HF 2414) on Wednesday, April 24. This bill would have a serious and potentially devastating impact on senior care. It’s time to have one more conversation with your lawmaker – and the best time to do that is at the State Capitol on the day of the vote. 

When lawmakers return to the State Capitol next week, they will be taking an important vote on issues that matter most to you, your staff and the people you serve. At a time when the State has a $1 billion surplus, our aging population is growing, and we face severe workforce shortages, the House Health and Human Services (HHS) Finance Bill cuts care center funding and fails to invest in housing and supportive services for seniors. We need your help in sharing the devasting impact this bill would have on the people you serve and the dedicated staff who provide them with care and support.