New mandatory transition counseling inserts government appointed counselors into seniors’ personal housing choices The Legislature and Governor Dayton sent mixed messages in the details of their HHS budget agreement. While the agreement does not cut nursing home rates in this biennium and provides a small…
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Minnesota Leaders Agree to Budget Framework
Two weeks into the state government shutdown – the longest in history – Governor Dayton and Republican legislative leadership struck a deal outlining a framework for a budget agreement. Governor Dayton announced in a speech yesterday that he was willing to accept the Republican’s June…
Dayton to agree to June 30th GOP offer?
In what some may call a surprising move, Governor Mark Dayton has tenatively agreed to the GOP budget plan that was introduced on June 30th. Gov. Dayton stated: “Despite my serious reservations about your plan, I have concluded that continuing the state government shutdown would be…
Just a day away….(MN state shutdown) UPDATED
With a possible state shutdown just a couple of days away, there is an ongoing fear about what will happen with Medicaid payments to providers. Over the past two weeks, there has been a lot of jostling for position by both sides. Through the work…
Governor Dayton expands list of essential services to include medical assistance payments to providers
Late this afternoon, Governor Dayton announced he will be submitting a supplemental petition Tuesday to expand his proposed list of essential services to include payments to providers who serve seniors and vulnerable adults who rely on medical assistance programs. Dayton also has requested that newly…
Attorney General Files Court Documents on Essential State Services
News from Aging Services of Minnesota: Today, Attorney General Lori Swanson initiated a court action to protect essential services and filed documents in Ramsey County Court on behalf of the state. In her petition to the court, the Attorney General requested that the court mandate…
State shutdown looming
As this week draws to a close, there is a real concern about how the pending state shutdown will affect residents who utilize the state’s Medicaid system known as Elderly Waiver. The Governor and legislative leaders are at loggerheads over resolving the state budget deficit. …
Governor Dayton Holds Roundtable Discussion on Older Adult Services
On Tuesday, Governor Mark Dayton held a roundtable discussion regarding the impact of budget proposals on older adult services and the elderly in St. Paul. In a roundtable discussion, Dayton sat with providers of older adult services, a senior who is currently receiving services, a paid caregiver…
Deep Cuts Leave Seniors on Shaky Ground
The House Health and Human Services proposal includes a total repeal of rate equalization, but balances the budget by gouging already underfunded nursing homes and home health care programs designed to help seniors remain in their homes. When the House budget targets for Health and…
Governor Takes Positive Steps to Protect Seniors
With a $1.2 billion improvement to the state’s budget forecast, Governor Dayton reverses some proposed cuts to older adult services After proposing an initial “hard times” budget that cut $87 million out of vital programs for Minnesota’s seniors, Governor Dayton is now using an improved forecast…