Aging Minnesotans at Risk in Competing Budget Proposals: Lawmakers Must Set a Higher Target for Nursing Home Funding
As Minnesota lawmakers prepare to negotiate the Human Services budget proposals, long-term care leaders are calling on elected leaders to reject any budget that overlooks the urgent needs of our seniors and set a funding target that demonstrates Minnesota’s commitment to our aging population.
“Without an adequate budget target from legislative leaders and the Governor, seniors will suffer” said Toby Pearson, President and CEO of Care Providers of Minnesota. “This is about protecting the dignity and wellbeing of Minnesota’s older adults. The state has a moral and fiscal obligation to care for those who have put so much into shaping this state.”
We commend the Minnesota House of Representatives for advancing a Human Services budget that puts our seniors and their caregivers first. The House position passed 109-25 on Monday evening, a strong demonstration of bipartisan support that comes at a crucial time for Minnesota’s aging population. The bill not only funds the mandates of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, it also avoids cuts to nursing homes, which stands in stark contrast to the Senate and Governor’s positions. As our state ages, it’s critical that we prioritize funding for senior care, and the House position does just that.
The Senate bill includes deep cuts to nursing home funding that would dramatically weaken Minnesota’s ability to care for its growing elderly population. The proposed cuts come at a time when senior care settings are being required to absorb an additional $200 million in unfunded mandates from the new Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. Further, the Senate’s proposed funding model relies on outdated financial data that would shortchange more than 100 facilities — threatening their capacity to continue serving seniors in their communities.
“The Senate proposal will mean fewer beds, more staff vacancies, longer waitlists for seniors in need of care, and families left without care options close to home,” said Kari Thurlow, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota. “That’s not a future we as a state should tolerate.”
We thank the Minnesota House members who have prioritized our seniors and ask for their continued support. Should the Senate proposal be adopted in its current form, it will accelerate nursing home closures across Minnesota.
For more information, contact:
Jessica Lacher, LeadingAge Minnesota
JLacher@LeadingAgeMN.org
651-603-3530
Lisa Foss Olson, Care Providers of MN
lolson@careproviders.org
952-851-2483
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The Long-Term Care Imperative is a collaboration of LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota, two of the state’s largest long-term care associations. The Long-Term Care Imperative is committed to advancing a shared vision and future for older adult housing, health care and supportive services.
