Minnesota Seniors Abandoned in Final State Budget Deal
Governor Walz and state leaders have failed to pass a budget that protects Minnesota’s seniors—neglecting their duty to support our growing elderly population. The Governor says Minnesota is one of the best states for families. Apparently, “family members” stop counting when they turn 65.
This budget will accelerate nursing home closures, and seniors across the state will pay the price. With fewer available beds, longer waitlists and staffing shortages, older adults in every community will struggle to access the care they have earned.
“Let’s make one thing abundantly clear: seniors are family,” said Toby Pearson, President and CEO of Care Providers of Minnesota. “They are our parents, grandparents, veterans, teachers, neighbors and loved ones who have made Minnesota what it is today. They deserve a state that shows up for them, not leaders who ignore them and treat them like a burden.”
Long-term care leaders commend the legislators who fought to prioritize the needs of seniors and caregivers this session. Their commitment has not gone unnoticed.
“Minnesota may be a great place to grow up, but what about growing old?” said Kari Thurlow, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota. “Year after year, we’ve sounded the alarm about dwindling access to long-term care across the state. Yet once again, we ended this session fighting for basic support—only to be met with delay, deflection, and denial.”
This budget shows that the state has no plan – or even a vision – to meet the needs of seniors, who will make up 25% of Minnesota’s adults by 2030.
Lawmakers must return next session with real solutions that meet the urgent needs of our aging population: meaningful investments in care, sustainable funding that moves us away from this pattern of end-of-session negotiations, and a vision for the future that upholds Minnesota’s responsibility to its seniors.
For more information, contact:
Ben Hansen, LeadingAge Minnesota
bhansen@leadingagemn.org
651-659-1443
Lisa Foss Olson, Care Providers of MN
lolson@careproviders.org
952-851-2483
