The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee meeting on January 23, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding the state of nursing homes in Minnesota. Since 2020, over 2,400 nursing home beds have been removed from service, with 16 nursing homes in Greater Minnesota closing entirely, which has severely impacted local access to care.

Erin Hubert, representing the Long Term Care Imperative, addressed the committee about ongoing workforce challenges in nursing facilities. These challenges have contributed to elevated vacancy rates and are driving both closures and bed layaways. Hubert criticized the Governor's proposed budget, which includes a 2% cap on future rate increases and a $218 million cut over four years. She argued that this budget does not adequately account for the costs associated with the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, estimating that the mandates from this board would require an additional $150 million, leading to a potential total cut of $350 million when combined with underfunding of the minimum wage standard.

Hubert emphasized that the budget proposal appears to use nursing homes as a means to balance the state budget, raising concerns about the implications for seniors in nursing homes and their caregivers. She noted that the nursing home sector is still recovering from the pandemic, which had a devastating impact on the workforce and the morale of caregivers. Hubert concluded by questioning whether seniors and their caregivers are truly considered part of "One Minnesota" under the current budget proposal.

The discussions at the meeting underscore the urgent need for a reevaluation of funding and support for nursing homes in the state, as they face ongoing challenges that threaten their ability to provide care.