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ICYMI: Legislature Adjourns with Historic Funding for Aging Services
On May 25, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
As of Monday at midnight, the Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2023 legislative session. After months of tireless advocacy by seniors, their families, and their caregivers, we are proud to report that we have left the session with historic investments in aging services that will help ensure access to care for Minnesota seniors and support caregivers with the wages they deserve.
Human Services Conference Committee Completes Its Work with Mixed Outcomes for Aging Services Providers
On May 18, 2023 by Erin Huppert
The Human Services Conference Committee closed the conference report on Wednesday with far-reaching implications for senior care. The report, which will proceed to each legislative chamber for final passage, includes mixed outcomes for aging services providers.
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.
Two Weeks Remain of the 2023 Legislative Session
On May 11, 2023 by Erin Huppert
The Legislature is required to adjourn by May 22. With less than two weeks remaining, LeadingAge Minnesota and its members continue to advocate for funding that will help ensure seniors have access to the care they need when and where they need it
House Votes on Human Services with Significant Investments for Elderly Waiver
On April 27, 2023 by Erin Huppert
On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF2934, the House Human Services Omnibus Bill, on a 70-60 vote. The budget bill spends $1.3 billion over the next biennium on services for people needing home and community care, substance use disorder access, disability services and aging services. As previewed last month, the House position makes essential investments that LeadingAge Minnesota has been advocating for but lacks any ongoing funding for nursing home workers.
LTC Imperative Financial Survey Shows Continuing Challenges for Providers
On April 27, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
A new survey of nursing home and assisted living providers conducted by the Long-Term Care Imperative shows that the challenges faced by providers are continuing. Lack of adequate state funding to support higher wages for Minnesota’s long-term care workforce has pushed nursing homes and assisted living settings deeper into financial distress, resulting in diminished access and fewer care options for Minnesota’s seniors and families.
Senate Human Services Bill Passes Off Floor with Bipartisan Support
On April 20, 2023 by Erin Huppert
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 2934, the Human Services Omnibus Finance Bill, on a strong bipartisan vote (63-4). The bill makes critical long-term care investments and policy changes to build upon over the final five weeks of the session.
Members Attend LeadingAge Minnesota Mini Day at the Capitol
On April 13, 2023 by LeadingAge
On Wednesday of this week, a group of LeadingAge Minnesota members attended a “Mini Day at the Capitol” in an effort to continually share our stories and drive legislative action. They had the opportunity to meet with their lawmakers to discuss our long-term care policy priorities and share their stories.
Drive Advocacy by Sharing Caregiver and Senior Voices with Your Networks
On April 13, 2023 by Dan Nelson
LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a statewide digital advocacy campaign featuring a series of videos that tell the stories of caregivers and seniors. The goal of the campaign is to drive advocacy at a critical time in the legislative session.
Listen: WCCO Radio Airs Fluence Forum on Senior Services Issues
On April 6, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
WCCO political analyst Blois Olson hosted a new Fluence Forum, a conversation about the caregiving crisis in Minnesota.
Media Round-Up: Spreading Our Stories
On April 6, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge Minnesota continues to use earned media to garner support for our legislative agenda and keep pressure on lawmakers. In addition, we’ve recently launched a paid media campaign in strategically targeted areas.
Stark Differences in Human Services Omnibus Bills as Minnesota Legislators Begin Week-Long Break
On April 6, 2023 by LeadingAge
On Monday, the Senate Human Services Committee passed its omnibus finance bill with key differences from the House’s version.
Providers Join Lawmakers to Call for Nursing Home Funding
On March 30, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
On Thursday afternoon, several nursing home providers from across the state visited the Capitol to support funding for nursing homes in the House Human Services bill.
House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care
On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert
The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.
Walz’s Revised Budget Addresses Hospital Back-Ups, Not LTC Funding
On March 23, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Governor Tim Walz recently updated his budget proposal and introduced some new spending initiatives after the most recent budget forecast was released. Unfortunately, those initiatives do not include a rate increase for care centers despite the ongoing staffing and financial challenges. Despite the lack of support from the Governor, the Long-Term Care Imperative continues to work with legislators to advocate for this vitally needed funding.
Legislative Leaders Announce Joint Budget Targets
On March 23, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This week, legislative leaders and Governor Walz announced they had reached global budget targets for creating Minnesota’s biennial budget (FY2023-2025). This agreement sets the stage for the Legislature to spend the state’s $17.6 billion surplus. According to the agreement, human services has been given a $1.3 billion target for the two-year period, and health care an additional $755 million.
Media Round-up: Advocates from Around the State Share Stories with Their Neighbors
On March 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
Around the state, LeadingAge Minnesota members have been lifting their voices and sharing their stories in the media to advance our goal of supporting seniors and their caregivers through legislative action.
LeadingAge Minnesota Celebrates Return to In-person Advocacy Day at Capitol
On March 16, 2023 by Kayla Khang
Over 100 members came together this week at LeadingAge Minnesota’s Day at the Capitol, the first in-person day since 2019 after years of COVID-related restrictions. The strong showing illustrates that members understand the importance of speaking up and sharing their stories.
February Budget Forecast Shows Unprecedented Opportunity to Address Senior Care Funding Needs
On March 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Minnesota’s updated state economic forecast was released Monday, and Minnesota’s budget and economic outlook remain historically strong, with a $17.5 billion balance projected for the next biennium. The Minnesota Legislature will use this forecast to determine how much money each budget area, including health and human services, will be allowed to spend.
Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities
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.