Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert

After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon.  The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.

SF 1969: assisted living updates

First, the committee took up SF 1969, a bill that modifies some of Minnesota’s assisted living statutes. Thanks to compelling testimony from LeadingAge member Kristal Braun from Prairie Senior Cottages, the committee heard firsthand how vital action by the Legislature is this year.

When 144G was enacted, stakeholders knew that creating and implementing 144G would be a continuous improvement process. The licensure law is especially burdensome for our small residential providers. The reality is that meeting the requirements of this law makes the ability to offer affordable services more challenging than ever.

We know we have a severe staffing shortage across the sector, including assisted living. Yet the current licensure law has incredibly rigid requirements that place additional barriers to getting caregivers to work, allowing them to work to the top of their scope, and compensating them fairly for serving our seniors.

Our goal for the hearing was to generate urgency for action, knowing that additional conversations will be necessary to reach a consensus with stakeholders. After nearly one hour of committee discussion, the committee made it clear that it desires to make reasonable changes in this session.

SF 780: payment proposal to increase caregiver wages and stabilize senior care services

The committee heard public testimony on SF 780 from four individuals on behalf of the Long-Term Care Imperative. In addition to the association CEOs, Kari Thurlow and Patti Cullen, a provider and resident testified on behalf of the bill:

• Mary Eileen Sorenson, a Westwood Ridge Assisted Living Campus resident, testified about the need for caregivers to earn a livable wage, how caregivers are family, and how seniors deserve legislators’ time this year. Mary Eileen has gotten involved in our advocacy efforts through connections made in the LeadingAge Minnesota Champions Network.
• Amanda Johnson, Lifespark, testified about her experience as a nurse and career servant in long-term care settings.

SF 1640: a bill to take necessary steps to implement PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

The committee also heard testimony for the first time this year on a bill to conduct a rate study on PACE. This vital legislation has bipartisan support and was included in the HHS Omnibus bill that was left unfinished when the Legislature adjourned last year without completing its work.

Senate author Kelly Morrison was happy to carry it this year after being a co-sponsor last year in the House. Thanks to expert testimony from Wayne Olson of Presbyterian Homes and Dr. Joe Gaugler from the University of Minnesota, the committee offered its strong support and commitment to passing the measure this year.

If you missed it, click here for a recording of the hearing.