Minnesota Senate Passes Funding for Long-Term Caregiver Wages Increases

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Tuesday, April 26, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 4410, its Health and Human Services (HHS) Omnibus Bill on a strong bipartisan vote (60-5). The measure includes $358 million in investments for nursing homes and improves Minnesota's Elderly Waiver rate phase-in (from 18.8% to 27.2%).

We need this critical funding to provide increases in caregiver wages across our settings.

The bill also includes an authorization for adult day providers to continue providing remote services – an option permitted during the pandemic – and authorizes Minnesota to join the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.

Overall, the Senate’s HHS Omnibus Bill provides $1 billion in human services workforce development – a significant investment, especially during a non-budget year.

Thanks in part to your continued advocacy, senators across the state recognized the severe and acute workforce crisis in long-term care by passing their HHS Omnibus Bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. We need to capitalize on this momentum and send a strong message to the House: Follow the Senate’s leadership and provide permanent funding for caregiver wages this year. The House will vote on their version of an HHS Omnibus bill early next week. Take action today.