Countering a One-Sided Narrative About Long-Term Care: Our Response to a Recent MinnPost Series

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Ben Hansen

A few months ago, LeadingAge Minnesota was contacted by a MinnPost reporter who was developing a series about the work of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board—with an initial focus on the Board’s forthcoming minimum wage rules and their anticipated impact on the long-term care sector.

Our President and CEO, Kari Thurlow, sat down for an in-depth conversation with the reporter. As the interview unfolded, it became clear that the series would evolve far beyond a discussion of the minimum wage mandates. The scope widened to include a broad examination of nursing homes in Minnesota—their challenges, workforce realities, and the policies shaping their future.

A Troubling, One-Sided Series

A couple of weeks ago, MinnPost published the resulting four-part series, which offered a detailed but unfortunately one-sided portrayal of our state’s senior care landscape. The series highlighted some important issues but missed the deeper complexities of what nursing homes are facing—particularly the financial, staffing, and demographic pressures that continue to strain providers across Minnesota.

At LeadingAge Minnesota, we believe it’s essential to tell the whole story—one that recognizes both the dedication of those who provide care and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure access for older adults.

Our Counterpoint

That’s why, late last week, we submitted a counterpoint to the MinnPost series, which the publication ran this morning, and you can read here: Counterpoint: Minnesota can’t hesitate while Nursing Homes disappear.

We aimed to outline the stark reality facing Minnesota’s long-term care providers: without swift and meaningful action, more nursing homes will close, leaving vulnerable Minnesotans without access to the care they need close to home. Our response is a call on policymakers and the public to recognize that this crisis is not theoretical—it’s happening now—and that hesitation could have devastating consequences for seniors and families across the state – tragically, in some cases, it already has.

This counterpoint reflects our ongoing commitment to advocacy, transparency, and leadership in shaping a future where the collective voice of senior care providers is elevated so you can continue helping Minnesotans live with dignity and respect as they age.

We encourage you to read and share the article, and to continue raising awareness about the urgent issues facing our sector. Every voice matters as we work to strengthen the continuum of care and ensure that every Minnesotan has access to the support they deserve.