News

2023 Minnesota Legislative Recap and Analysis Webinar Series

On May 11, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

After the Minnesota Legislature adjourns on May 22, join us in May and June to identify changes to state law that will impact the seniors you serve. During June’s session, we will dive deeper to explore the implications for your organization’s operations and the larger aging services sector.

Despite Opposition, Nursing Home Workforce Board Set to Advance in 2023 Legislature

On May 11, 2023 by Erin Huppert

A proposal to create a regulatory Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor is poised to advance this session. The measure recently included in the Jobs and Labor Omnibus Conference Report will allow the Governor to appoint a nine-person commission to adopt rules establishing minimum nursing home compensation standards for nursing home workers.

Aging Services Workforce Now Campaign Continues at Federal Level

On April 13, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Our national partners at LeadingAge continue to push forward with the Aging Services Workforce Now advocacy campaign launched last year. A recent member workforce poll conducted by LeadingAge showed the shortage of caregiving professionals across aging services is still a true crisis that is not improving. That's why it's critical that we tackle our workforce challenges at every level of government, including in Washington, DC.

Becerra Addresses Top Aging Issues Before House Committee

On March 30, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

On March 28, US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the President’s FY24 budget proposal. Top aging services issues were discussed, such as the Three-Day Hospital Stay Requirement, Nursing Home Mandatory Staffing Ratios, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

Bill Introduced to Add Assisted Living Services to Veteran Benefits

On March 9, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

A bill introduced by US Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Jon Tester (D-MT), along with Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) to add assisted living services to veterans benefits.

Tune In to Caregiver Conversation –  Roundtable with Sen. Frentz and Rep. Brand

On February 23, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

LeadingAge Minnesota has launched a new series: Caregiver Conversations. We’re helping lawmakers and their constituents have critical conversations about the aging services sector. Then we’re we are sharing the recordings far and wide so Minnesotans and leaders at the Capitol better understand the issues we are facing.

Long-Term Care Messaging Resonates with Minnesotans, According to Polls

On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

LeadingAge Minnesota, with our partners in the Long-Term Care Imperative, conducted a statewide public opinion poll to support our legislative agenda in 2023. The poll results affirm and refine the key messages we use and help us target supporters who advocated alongside us throughout the legislative session.

Leadership Changes in Congress Create New Federal Advocacy Opportunities

On November 17, 2022 by Erin Huppert

When Congress convenes next January, the United States will return to a divided government with narrow margins of control in both the US House and US Senate. In the House, Republicans will retake the majority over Democrats. In the Senate, the Democrats will maintain a one or two-vote margin over the Republicans, pending a run-off election in Georgia.

Argentum Public Policy Institute Registration Now Open

On November 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Argentum, our national partner for assisted living providers, will host its annual Public Policy Institute March 6-8 at the Hotel Monaco in Washington, DC. Registration for the event is now open.

Frontline Workers Receive State Bonus Checks

On October 6, 2022 by Erin Huppert

Pandemic frontline workers will begin to see $487.45 in one-time bonuses from the State of Minnesota this week. Applicants who chose direct deposit of their payment should see it in their accounts in seven to ten days. People who choose to be mailed a prepaid debit card should receive them in three to four weeks.

New Notice Requirement for Assisted Living

On July 14, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Assisted living providers, effective Aug. 1, need to add specific language to any notice that is issued to a resident or their legal or designated representative due to a requirement in the Minnesota Statute 144G or the Assisted Living Rule 4659 that is required to include information regarding the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

CNA Training Lockout Bill Introduced in US Senate

On July 7, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

On June 13, US Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced S.4381, the Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act, which would address the "CNA lockout" that's contributing to the long-term care staffing crisis across the country.

Get Involved

On June 13, 2022 by ecitizen

Long Overdue Frontline Worker Bonuses Signed into Law

On May 5, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Friday, April 29, the legislature passed a bill to provide frontline workers a bonus check for their commitment to serving our community during the height of the pandemic. The measure will use $500 million of federal funds to provide "hero" payments to an estimated 667,000 frontline workers in specified sectors, including long-term care and home care settings like nursing homes and assisted living.

Minnesota Senate Passes Funding for Long-Term Caregiver Wages Increases

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%).

MN Legislature Resumes Business; the House Releases its Budget Targets

On April 21, 2022 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota Legislature returned from a weeklong break on Tuesday, April 19. There are now just five weeks remaining for legislators to complete their work, including passing bonding and tax bills and finding a compromise on spending our state's $9.2 billion surplus.

Missed Day at the Capitol? It’s Not Too Late to Become an Advocate

On April 7, 2022 by Matt Steele

LeadingAge Minnesota members virtually gathered for our largest advocacy event of the year, the Day at the Capitol. Aging services providers from across the state met with over 50 lawmakers, including several Senate and House legislative leaders, to make their voices heard and advance important policy initiatives for seniors and their caregivers.

Health and Human Services Budget Bills Released: Senate Bill Includes Key Workforce Funding Priorities

On April 7, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

This week the House and Senate have each introduced supplemental budget bills that fund health and human services areas. We were pleased to see that the Senate bill provides significant funding for the Long-Term Care Imperative workforce agenda. Unfortunately, the House bill does not, but the bill does include a few scattered positive elements.

LeadingAge Minnesota Members Advocate in Washington, DC.

On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

This week, several members of LeadingAge Minnesota attended LeadingAge's annual Leadership Summit. In conjunction with the conference, LeadingAge facilitated meetings with our state delegation in Congress to discuss several policy priorities to ensure we have enough caregivers to provide safe, quality care for Minnesota's seniors.

Workforce Payment Bill Advances at the Legislature

On March 31, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Tuesday, March 29, LeadingAge Minnesota testified in support of our bill to provide permanent wage increases to caregivers in the Senate’s Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.