Kurt Hunstiger
Sauk Rapids Mayor
I have had my mother in assisted living and nursing-home care and that sector is in crisis.
As a son, I know how reimbursement rates work. They don’t cover the true cost of care. Despite that, the facilities where my mother lived took exceptional care of her.
The local long-term care facility has been a large employer for 60 years. Their employees live and shop here. We want the older adults to stay where they’ve long lived, where their families are close.
Facilities have to turn away older adults because of extreme staffing challenges. Older adults built our communities and paid taxes. In just the month of October 2022, 11,000 older Minnesotans were turned away by long-term care providers due to staffing shortages. They have to move far away from their loved ones to receive care.
I understand dedicated, caring staff are leaving because they don’t make a livable wage. I also understand wages are tied to reimbursement so if there are no rate increases, facilities can’t give substantial raises to recruit and retain staff.
I call on the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Walz to pass the long-term care and reform bills proposed (HF 733/SF780). These bills address the reimbursement rates that affect long-term care facilities in our region. I also urge the public, if you have a loved one who is already in long-term care or who may need it soon, please contact your legislators and the governor and ask for their help this session.