News

Earlier this week, LeadingAge Minnesota distributed our annual member survey to select contacts at provider- and associate-member organizations. If you were invited to participate, we encourage you to take a few minutes to share your feedback. Your input helps shape our priorities, programs, and advocacy efforts in the year ahead.

At LeadingAge Minnesota, we know that our members are navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain environment. Recent federal immigration enforcement actions have only heightened this uncertainty and created further disruption for a critical segment of Minnesota’s aging services workforce. In moments like this, our shared commitment to older adults and the caregivers who serve them matters more than ever.

This week, legislation to exempt senior care settings from needing a liquor license for resident happy hours advanced in the Senate Commerce Committee.

The 2026 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Round 20 Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports strong interest in the new Assisted Living Competitive Grant Program, highlighting the significant demand for resources that support innovation and improvements in assisted living settings.

To strengthen program integrity and address concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid programs, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has designated 13 provider categories as “high-risk,” including Adult Day services. As a result, Adult Day providers must complete an off-cycle revalidation by May 31, 2026 in order to remain enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) bases its median family income estimates on data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). In November, the Census Bureau announced a delay in its release of ACS data.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the State Operations Manual on January 30, 2026. The new changes are effective March 30, 2026. Updates were made to Chapter 5, which outlines complaint investigations and processes, and Chapter 7, which relates to the long-term care survey process.

Last week, Kari Thurlow, LeadingAge Minnesota’s President and CEO and Kelly Conrad, Director of Assisted Living Services, joined Argentum in Washington, D.C. to advocate for policies that strengthen senior living communities and support older adults across Minnesota and the nation.

Members who provide housing or assisted living in Carver County should be aware of a limited program of rent assistance that could help renters who are experiencing financial hardship for their housing costs.

Finding the right talent is critical — and LeadingAge Minnesota members have an exclusive opportunity to save while recruiting. Members can post open positions on AgingServicesJobs.org, the premier job board for aging services employers, at a significantly reduced rate.

The Duluth Tenants Union, an advocacy group representing renters in Duluth, have signaled their potential efforts to introduce a ballot initiative allowing for rent control caps in the city of Duluth. This same group successfully led a ballot initiative in 2025 for the Right to Repair ordinance, which is now in effect.  

Being a Licensed Assisted Living Director comes with unique challenges, and some of the best solutions come from conversations with peers who truly understand the work. That’s exactly what the LALD Professional Networking Group is all about.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s new Regional Operations Network officially launched on Feb. 26, bringing together members from across the state who serve in regional operational roles.

Legislators need to hear directly from long-term care providers. Day at the Capitol is your opportunity to make that happen.