Says Bill Authored by Sen. John Hoffman Funds Caregivers, Programs, Facilities, and Families
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said the Senate has passed Senator John Hoffman’s (DFL-Champlin) Human Services budget that devotes $1.3 billion to long-term care and programs for seniors and people with disabilities.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the budget represents the largest investment in caregivers and elder care in Minnesota history. The bill contains $437 million in direct care and support services for seniors, including $126 million for nursing homes across the state. The Human Services budget also makes historic commitments to the long-term care workforce with increased wages and recruitment programs, including setting a $20 minimum wage for personal care assistants (PCAs) providing in-home care.
“This bill is critically important to our state’s ability to care for our seniors, and people with disabilities, and it will bolster the important work our caregivers do by increasing their wages,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic. “It also invests in workforce development, and it will help ensure seniors can age in place and stay in their homes while receiving care. In short, this bill will improve the lives of Minnesotans both giving and receiving care.”
“I’m proud of the work of the Human Services Committee this session, and proud to say that this bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Senator Hoffman said. “Caring for seniors and people with disabilities is not a political issue, it is a moral one. Funding in this bill will help maintain a high quality of life for every person receiving care, whether that’s in a nursing facility or in their home. Increased wages and workforce development can help us fight the chronic shortage in this critical field. These investments ensure people get the appropriate level of services in a setting that best fits their needs. Our work is not done. We will continue to seek the adequate funds and ideas needed to serve our seniors and people with disabilities.”
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