Friends and neighbors –
Thanks in large part to Republican efforts in the State House and Senate, Minnesota nursing homes finally received some much-needed financial relief this month: $300 million in emergency aid is being disbursed to over 300 facilities across the state. The funding is the result of a last-minute agreement Republicans brokered at the end of the last legislative session.
The aid comes after years of financial struggles for nursing homes, with over 50 closing in recent years and many more on the brink. Despite Republican efforts to make nursing home funding a priority, Democrats and Governor Walz resisted past proposals.
For example, in 2022 Senate Republicans approved a $1 billion emergency nursing home aid bill. It didn’t become law because Democrats and Gov. Walz wouldn’t agree to it. This session though, our persistence paid off and we were able to secure a substantial aid package.
The first wave of $173 million in grants started going out August 1, with each facility receiving a base payment of $225,000 plus $3,900 per bed. A second round will come next August.
This emergency aid will make a huge difference for facilities across Minnesota, helping them keep their doors open, retain staff, and continue providing critical care to our most vulnerable residents.
Here are the facilities in our area that will benefit:
- Central Health Care, Le Center: $385,661
- Cura Of Le Sueur, Le Sueur: $425,826
- Lakeview Methodist HCC, Fairmont: $514,189
- Living Meadows at Luther, Madelia: $385,661
- Mala Strana Care And Rehab Ctr, New Prague: $502,139
- Mapleton Community Home, Mapleton: $465,991
- St Lukes Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth: $482,057
- The Lutheran Home Belle Plaine, Belle Plaine: $526,238
- Truman Senior Living, Truman: $345,495
Additionally, $51.5 million in state money supplemental to federal funds will enable a temporary $12.32 daily rate add-on for 18 months. Nursing home administrators say that this could translate into a pay raise of about $1 per hour for nursing home staff. The remaining funds from the $300 million are put into a Workforce Incentive Fund (WIF) that facilities can use for hiring and retention bonuses, employee-owned benefits, and employee contributions to a 401k, along with professional development, childcare, meals, transportation, and housing needs of employees. The WIF caps out at $3000 per worker, per year and is available until funds are spent or July 2029.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF FIREFIGHTERS
We are eternally grateful for the brave firefighters who protect our Minnesota communities every day. Their selfless commitment keeps us safe, often at great personal sacrifice.
To support these heroes, the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation provides scholarships for children and spouses of firefighters. At minimum, they award a $1,000 scholarship to the family of a fallen firefighter and a $1,000 scholarship to the family of an active firefighter. If funds allow, even more scholarships will be available this year. These scholarships help make education more affordable for firefighters’ loved ones.
I strongly encourage anyone eligible to apply for this wonderful opportunity. Our firefighters have earned our deepest thanks and support. This scholarship program is one small way we can give back and honor their service and sacrifice for all of us. Please help spread the word so these scholarships aid as many fire service families as possible.
You can download the application here: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/minnesota-fire-service-foundation-scholarship-opportunity/
Please be aware: applications must be postmarked by September 15, so get them in as soon as possible.
Contact me:
If you have any questions about any of these issues or any other issue the legislature is working on, please don’t hesitate to contact me any time. My email is Sen.Rich.Draheim@Senate.mn, and my phone number is 651-296-5558.
And please follow me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorRichDraheim/
It is a privilege to serve you.