[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6632915,"mediaKeyId","2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c","parentId",2667403,"title","Senate considers limits on assisted‑living price hikes and restrictions on requiring guardianship at admission","audioSeconds",2263,"startMs",10781000,"endMs",13044000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c&start=10781&end=13044","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c/thumbnail_10781000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632915/Minnesota/Senate-considers-limits-on-assistedliving-price-hikes-and-restrictions-on-requiring-guardianship-at-admission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632915-cdfe0885f8e15ef0621501fc06e5d1e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032866&Signature=lfi1xFOcvQdGt13XPaX7hbj0JK4tCID6iIh5qmwE-Mh5z~SnQmGPbujsm~IfpfrpcyqKSjrvXc3nURfUPzbuPYvY7GrtHDPZvWGyX27DlPNLB0E57iUCqB~NfRy6k3g4CTpJlr6cFzJJsjIRZJq0opLsgyYI59iGBWQ~V~xz6lekTtGpTEeU5t2jkdOu7mZqNP5uU~2TaWW796nLTD7tKST8-J6eqhPdrgFe-Heqhpl-4sI4iIEtfjbLrwnRZiBBq19nIThFZ4ybg1edRVZyISjKsKwaEqZnVLNuserEZatzwtbne7xfNfWaTQTxjmdlcCG7VydZBcOZqzwcWdOsCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:55:48.727Z","article","A bill intended to protect assisted‑living residents from sudden price hikes and admission conditions drew strong interest and was re‑referred to the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee for further work.

Senate File 2522, introduced by Senator Mann and amended in committee, would prohibit facilities from requiring a guardian as a condition of admission or as a condition for continued residence, create documentation requirements when housing or services charges increase by more than the Consumer Price Index, and bar facilities from evicting a resident solely because they switch from private pay to public assistance (elderly waiver).

Supporters described families whose savings were exhausted after moving to higher‑cost assisted living and then faced forced transfers once they converted to public pay. Don Varney described his mother’s experience: after choosing a facility that advertised \"age in place,\" his family found fees rising and uncertain progress on elderly‑waiver applications; he warned of the emotional and financial costs of relocations for very old residents. Susan Baster testified she watched her mother exhaust more than $400,000 and then be asked to move when Medicaid would have paid.

Provider advocates expressed concerns about unfunded cost increases and operational constraints. The Long Term Care Imperative and other provider groups said some sections — especially those that alter guardianship or limit pricing changes — require more analysis. Aaron Hubert of the Imperative said guardianship and conservatorship are complex tools that sometimes are the appropriate response for people with serious medical or behavioral needs, and the association asked for additional negotiation.

Committee action: Senator Mann moved and the committee re‑referred SF 2522, as amended, to the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee without recommendation. Sponsors and opponents said they will continue stakeholder discussions; the Department of Health flagged that the bill would create at least some administrative costs and a fiscal note has been requested.

Why it matters: proponents said the bill would protect seniors from being displaced by rising private‑pay charges or by being forced into guardianship to secure housing. Opponents cautioned that a number of operational and legal issues (including definitions, fiscal impacts and appropriate use of guardianship) need further, cross‑stakeholder work.

The bill will next be considered in the housing committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Human Services - 03/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 2522 would restrict assisted‑living facilities from conditioning admission on a guardian, require documentation when private‑pay price increases exceed CPI, and bar eviction solely upon conversion to elderly‑waiver public pay; the committee re‑ferred the bill to the housing committee without recommendation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632924,"Committee extends legacy rates, seeks to streamline billing for pediatric enteral nutrition and specialized respiratory supplies",438,4837000,5275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c&start=4837&end=5275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c/thumbnail_4837000.jpg","/articles/6632924/Minnesota/Committee-extends-legacy-rates-seeks-to-streamline-billing-for-pediatric-enteral-nutrition-and-specialized-respiratory-supplies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632924-81c3c8e72e03a19f7b72ec3be70255c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032866&Signature=aNev8d9gOqhwhYwPoaLnF3amD4pE-BQ2h~x6EB1ods82-bnUjkQDG4Lm1fDOMZllCxSKldkkF17-TvBjQGEKxpTdk7TMsJf3sqjfnpV-xNCDyJlLsp5Bw-Opa9riNqVsRTCBujrGgtTRlhUgd2Nhwu~BEx4vuLjL1B3vRVwj1FsztrOT8PBxDMtaDiJq77Au79reI88jXCVHVdtonu~nZLtOVy-pX1EzSLXLKfOuEbQFaWcW9DnQqwOvimlbke6eHN4xqsFoGIcSlgENLdEgyCaNP-TPohgDXE9fDf7XEWFV-Ns-vQRpGymWBCE7HCneDvBVw9~eDrYZqDn0VYO7CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers heard that some pediatric providers of medically necessary nutrition and respiratory supplies face financial stress because reimbursement and claims processes were written for general medical supplies, not specialized pediatric products.

Senate File 2542, presented by Senator Hoffman and amended with an author’s A1 amendment, seeks two main changes. First, it would temporarily extend legacy reimbursement rates for highly specialized pediatric enteral nutrition products for two years while the Department of Human Services and providers work on a pediatric‑specific payment model. Cameo Zender of Pediatric Home Service told the committee the legacy methodology recognizes unique delivery, administrative and clinical support costs for pediatric nutrition that are not covered by the standard medical supply rate.

Second, the bill would hard‑code rates for about two dozen high‑volume products (examples: low‑profile feeding tubes, feeding accessory sets, specialized tracheostomy tubes) to remove a manual, fax‑based pricing attachment process that providers said creates thousands of monthly claim attachments and staff hours for both providers and DHS. Zender said Pediatric Home Service submits about 2,000 pricing attachments a month under the current process and estimated that automating rates would generate substantial efficiency gains for both the department and providers.

Senators adopted the A1 author’s amendment in committee and laid SF 2542 over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill. Supporters asked DHS and providers to use the two‑year period to design an alternative pediatric reimbursement model.

Why it matters: advocates said the change would protect access to specialty nutrition products and reduce administrative burden and payment delays; providers say legacy rates are necessary to avoid steep cuts that threaten service availability.

The bill awaits omnibus consideration.","Senators adopted an author’s amendment and laid over Senate File 2542, which would extend legacy reimbursement rates for highly specialized pediatric enteral nutrition products and hard‑code rates for certain high‑volume specialties to eliminate a manual, fax‑based pricing process.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632930,"Committee hears bill to add nursing hours to CDCS waiver for Minnesotans with developmental disability and type 1 diabetes",805,3997000,4802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c&start=3997&end=4802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c/thumbnail_3997000.jpg","/articles/6632930/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-add-nursing-hours-to-CDCS-waiver-for-Minnesotans-with-developmental-disability-and-type-1-diabetes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632930-b4917e4edc4c63e4840d249cfbe57640/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032866&Signature=H19MwS73nayT~fVMF4CiPfSHL51h9lVHxAcLvsMPsfYJTGFPGnN0SkTPibvtLnj2kHnGgu3t8bx31SROBOSONtUVc3FGcTQ2ZtUuLx5YTY~7JTzXH~~mO28PKVBNmlHug5BMQO6j37Ho5hM9AN~08wNXDrMoSGqyYfGSg4lIW9WQSO~8TESW~MnpzOLHrlmzKZJdCFsEKb4S3JHKq2oghg9vBH1v1PmX~Zfzg6jtUgSAtJOsS1npgT8kiIFP3S49am7~wwfEyF1B0USKJQqRm1Zthsth2NhnTfiycdhRTI1YAsoeRC~ztTglz45f9RnL177xLhyE8VW6lFO5lpqoIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers heard testimony on a narrowly focused bill to add home nursing hours for people with developmental disabilities who also have type 1 diabetes.

Senate File 2356, carried by Senator Croon, would amend the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) waiver to provide an additional nine hours of nursing support (added to the existing three hours) for families whose children or dependents are both developmentally disabled and medically dependent on insulin. The bill’s sponsors said the change would address a gap in current waiver assessments that leave families responsible for 24/7 care needs tied to diabetes management.

Sean O’Keefe and Christie O’Keefe testified about their daughter Kenzie, who was born with a chromosomal disorder and developed type 1 diabetes at age 7. \"Kenzie now has a deadly disease that requires 24 hour care that she will never be able to manage on her own,\" Sean O’Keefe said. He and his wife told the committee their family was left with only two choices: institutional care — which they said would cost ‘‘$400,000 to $500,000 per year’’ — or legislation to allow additional nursing hours in the home.

They urged lawmakers to keep the bill narrow to type 1 diabetes to avoid adding other conditions that could complicate or derail the proposal. Another parent, Janelle Traboyovich, described similar challenges finding before‑and‑after‑school care and summer coverage for her daughter, a 15‑year‑old with developmental delays and type 1 diabetes. Both families said the proposed 9‑hour increase, at the current home nursing rate, would be shared responsibility (not full 24‑hour coverage) but would prevent involuntary institutional placement for lack of in‑home nursing.

Senator Croon said the bill is ‘‘pretty simple’’ and would allow families to keep children at home where they are thriving. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill.

Why it matters: families argued that existing CDCS assessment tools do not account for the combination of developmental disability and medically complex diabetes care, effectively giving those households zero minutes of funded nursing. Supporters said the narrowly tailored change would help a small number of families avoid institutional placement and reduce pressure on caregivers who otherwise must stop working.

The bill will be considered for inclusion in the omnibus human services package.","Senate File 2356 would add nine hours of home nursing to the CDCS waiver for people who have both a developmental disability and type 1 diabetes, proponents told the committee, which laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632933,"Senate advances bill to create independent state inspector general, amid debate over Medicaid and agency jurisdiction",3497,551000,4048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c&start=551&end=4048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6632933/Minnesota/Senate-advances-bill-to-create-independent-state-inspector-general-amid-debate-over-Medicaid-and-agency-jurisdiction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632933-d36d6c43111349eeb684ba6d71f1efdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032866&Signature=aufHP6Nre2l9x9MUiWsmn1NV1x-xVCcBh0vkkFrKx16mq1f6gChmvrzcAUWUzDrVBgXllRcqGifuaeQqx-wQ783q21Xkw~F-sj1Cy5VpSk27ID2~ODXkmVmLsOjJO~Z0lsnHntuR-KXOVxjU-h73aJbYjpyVoCOfSB3uq5xMkeoUe1ZIt5wsHxoZaT7MHoRrMuKWC5YvlPDMr6WUxnlwrLxDDOKsm9xuh3ohVBljVaxZjb3Olvtdf9zy48yQifYszqJ0lVuMO5xGNRzXFtdM9U4~2boa1VHJg6EGRlsL-dqbe5ZIzMn4WSugdSNF32FDqvOJ5dYTOf8byPRwzc4arw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators advanced a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General to oversee fraud, waste and misuse in Minnesota’s public programs, but the committee stopped short of final approval and sent the measure on for more work.

Senate File 856, authored by Senator Gustafson and co-presented by Senator Croon, passed an A39 amendment and was re‑referred to the State and Local Government Committee without recommendation after senators expressed concern that language in the fourth engrossment and the amendment together would limit the new OIG’s ability to investigate some human services programs.

Supporters said a centralized, independent OIG would strengthen oversight and provide tools agencies currently lack. \"This is a bill that will establish an independent office of the inspector general to strengthen oversight, enhance accountability, and prevent fraud, waste, and misuse in Minnesota's public programs,\" Senator Gustafson said. Co‑author Senator Croon called the proposal a \"meaningful, bipartisan solution\" and said the office would help shut down fraud that has persisted in some state programs.

Department officials and others warned the committee that federal law and existing program integrity units create limits on which investigations must remain inside certain agencies. Christy Grama of the Department of Human Services told the committee that DHS has worked with bill authors on carve‑outs related to Medicaid and licensing and is continuing to analyze the legislative language. \"We have worked with Senator Gustafson, and other co‑authors since the introduction,\" Grama said, noting the department had helped negotiate provisions to avoid jeopardizing federal funding.

The committee considered the A39 amendment, offered by Senator Wicklund. Senate counsel Ally Hoffman Litchi walked members through the amendment’s technical changes, which included an exclusion list the OIG would maintain for programs or employees the office recommended be frozen or withheld from funding, changes to data‑sharing language, and clarifications to avoid interagency agreements from superseding statutory protections.

Members repeatedly questioned whether the OIG would have concurrent jurisdiction over Medicaid, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and DHS or DCYF licensing matters. Senate counsel and DHS witnesses said the bill as currently drafted carves out Medicaid and certain licensing matters from the OIG’s jurisdiction to preserve federal program integrity requirements, while still giving the OIG access to information and the ability to alert commissioners and recommend freezes in emergency situations. Senator Croon said he preferred concurrent jurisdiction but acknowledged federal requirements may limit that approach.

The committee approved the A39 amendment by a recorded vote (5 in favor, 4 opposed). Later, a motion to re‑refer SF 856, as amended, to the State and Local Government Committee without recommendation passed on a voice vote; the committee chair announced the bill was re‑referred without recommendation.

Why it matters: authors and supporters said the new OIG would provide proactive, centralized oversight to protect taxpayer dollars and fill gaps not covered by the Office of the Legislative Auditor, the attorney general, or federal OIG work. Opponents warned that the exceptions and interagency‑agreement language in the fourth engrossment and the A39 amendment could insulate agencies from meaningful independent oversight and reduce the OIG’s ability to act on suspected fraud in health and human services programs.

The bill will continue to other committee stops before the Senate takes further action. Sponsors said they are open to language changes to balance federal compliance with robust oversight.

Sources: Committee testimony and debate during the SF 856 hearing; explanation of the A39 amendment by Senate counsel Ally Hoffman Litchi; testimony by Christy Grama, Department of Human Services.

","Senators advanced a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General to oversee fraud, waste and misuse in Minnesota’s public programs by adopting an A39 amendment and re‑referring the measure for further work.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632919,"Debate over assisted‑living contract termination: providers, ombudsman and residents press competing views",3430,7190000,10620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c&start=7190&end=10620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667403-1bf269cf87fa1185ac76fbb0ec11994c/thumbnail_7190000.jpg","/articles/6632919/Minnesota/Debate-over-assistedliving-contract-termination-providers-ombudsman-and-residents-press-competing-views","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632919-93610a346d8ac7389afca818f195635b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032866&Signature=WiHokvZ9T3W~P-CjCIQIkvFqpKwLH~rv6z38vE4LA6xkV4Z3-rETdKJ3rBpBRT862F5SMcbs4ltHsduEWvuI~682OZPAMOfGQsPHGf4VKtEBZDiYb1hlrp3tiWLIVSf6mfoHnrimSOooQWMILIzvBP2cVU1m1OAiQBVBT0JbXcrhviPv6t97BUckLc0cTilkDjX0h91xdhDtMTcay~fvHsaYCxpwT0QSz1CunZE7GeR-F~U0jB6hnsatBx0DPx8~x7Jxsr-W3LQcB9Q5ypyMxf4l00i2-RCD-yYAu2OJgioQHw3qNFxA6-xm2UWZFeJd52UeOQXvBj-oNr339-H0RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard competing testimony on a bill that would change the statutory process by which assisted‑living facilities may terminate a resident’s contract and relocate residents.

Senate File 2055, carried by Senator Fatai, responds to provider concerns that the 2019 assisted‑living law (the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act) does not give some smaller residential providers sufficient tools to address residents whose behavior poses safety risks to roommates, staff or the broader community. Provider groups including the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota and the Long Term Care Imperative argued the current process can be slow and leave staff and other residents at risk while legal appeals proceed.

Matthew Bergeron, a lawyer who represents small assisted‑living facilities, described a case in which a single resident’s escalating behavior — including harassing and threatening comments and an assault on a process server — led to nearly 19 months of litigation despite an administrative law judge affirming the facility’s termination. \"One resident with an acute or unmanaged mental health need or violent outbursts can put the safety and well‑being of everyone in the facility ... at risk,\" Bergeron said.

Provider witnesses said the bill would add procedures for expedited pre‑termination meetings and other changes intended to make contract termination workable for small, high‑acuity settings.

Opponents — including the State Long Term Care Ombudsman and consumer advocates — urged caution. Cheryl Hennen, State Long Term Care Ombudsman, said the 2019 statute has reduced the number of terminations through early intervention and pre‑termination conferences: \"This law is working,\" she told the committee, noting that only seven appeals reached an administrative law judge in 2024 and that in many cases the pre‑termination process resolves the issues. Ombudsman testimony and a first‑person account from resident Elizabeth Henderson stressed that residents sometimes face relocation without adequate notice or explanation and that consumer protections should not be weakened.

Survey data presented by the Long Term Care Imperative showed many assisted‑living providers reported losing staff and confronting residents whose conduct they considered to warrant termination; the group recommended statutory fixes to make the process feasible while maintaining resident protections.

Committee action: the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus human services package; sponsors and opponents said they plan continued discussion to refine any changes.

Why it matters: assisted‑living facilities balance resident rights with safety for roommates and staff. Advocates for stronger provider tools said small settings are especially vulnerable to disruptive, violent behavior that can force other residents into relocation; consumer advocates and the ombudsman warned that the 2019 law’s protections remain important to guard against wrongful evictions and unnecessary displacement.

The committee deferred further action and will consider possible language changes during omnibus negotiations.","Senate File 2055, a bill to modify assisted‑living contract termination procedures, drew testimony from providers who say the 2019 law is inadequate for small high‑acuity homes and consumer advocates who warned the bill would weaken protections for residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate considers limits on assisted‑living price hikes and restrictions on requiring guardianship at admission

Committee extends legacy rates, seeks to streamline billing for pediatric enteral nutrition and specialized respiratory supplies

Committee hears bill to add nursing hours to CDCS waiver for Minnesotans with developmental disability and type 1 diabetes

Senate advances bill to create independent state inspector general, amid debate over Medicaid and agency jurisdiction

Debate over assisted‑living contract termination: providers, ombudsman and residents press competing views