Press Conference: Long-term care rescue package - 02/17/2022

To address the significant staffing crisis facing nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, key Senators outlined a $322 million package intended to shore up staffing. They announced the plan at a press conference Thursday, February 17.

According to Senator Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, chair of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, a staffing shortage of 9,000 workers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic has increased to 23,000 job openings. “Our facilities, our assisted living homes, are struggling to find people to come and work, to help take care of these folks, and they’re having a hard time retaining these folks also,” she said.

“This is the worst time ever, in the history of Minnesota, for people who need to be cared for,” said Senator Jim Abler, R-Anoka, chair of the Human Services Reform Committee. Abeler said an influx of cash is crucial right now and hoped policymakers would look for creative solutions to resolve the staffing crisis.

The package calls for retention bonuses of $1,000 for current staff in long-term care facilities and hiring bonuses of $1,500 to aid in the recruitment of new workers. The plan also calls for funding of up to $1,500 per person for training and uniform expenses for 20,000 new staff. Finally, the bill would provide $265,000 for the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).