Legislation would tackle historic crisis facing Minnesota’s caregivers
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – In response to the crisis facing Minnesota’s long-term and disability care industry, Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) has introduced the Caregiver Stabilization Act (SF 7) to increase wages and strengthen the industry.
“Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are struggling to live their lives with the dignity they deserve because they cannot get the daily care they need,” said Senator Hoffman. “Without this care, these Minnesotans are often unable to work, unable to get the medical care they need, and for some, are put into life-threatening situations. It’s a crisis that we must address and address as soon as possible.”
The crisis in care is a result of several factors, including the general labor shortage, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and most adversely, the noncompetitive wages for long-term and disability caregiving. The Caregiver Stabilization Act seeks to substantially invest resources into raising reimbursement rates for caregiving.
These new rates would affect state disability waivers, elderly waivers, home care services, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and emergency and nonemergency medical transportation. The legislation would also put funding into a residential setting closure prevention program and expand the emergency staffing pool to include providers of and certain recipients of home and community-based services.
“We have a historic opportunity to make sure those who provide essential care are receiving the wages they deserve,” said Senator Hoffman. “Now, with an unprecedented budget surplus, we must boldly lead and live up to our responsibility of one Minnesota.”
The Caregiver Stabilization Act will be heard in the Committee on Human Services at 3:00 p.m. today in Room 1200 at the Minnesota Senate Building. The hearing will be streamed live here.
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