ST. PAUL – Nursing homes in House District 15A have begun receiving shares of the $300 million infusion in state funding Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, supported and the Legislature provided last May.
Swedzinski said he is pleased House Republicans successfully negotiated increased funding for nursing homes after Gov. Tim Walz and House Democrats dedicated just $3.9 million to new nursing home funding in their original budget proposals for the new biennium.
“I was very concerned last session when House Democrats were looking to increase state spending by 40 percent but were unwilling to adequately support seniors and people who provide their vital care,” Swedzinski said. “House Republicans were adamant that we do the right thing by making nursing home funding a priority in the state’s new budget. I am pleased we were able to do so in the end.”
Swedzinksi said the funding is a step toward stabilizing Minnesota’s struggling long-term care industry, with nursing homes closing across the state and others on the financial brink. Families are waiting months and looking up to four hours away to find a safe place for loved ones, he said, indicating a worker shortage has left around 25 percent of nursing home caregiver jobs vacant.
Sanford Canby Medical Center ($437,875), Clarkfield Care Center ($369,594), Johnson Memorial in Dawson ($449,925), Avera Granite Falls Care Center ($417,793), Madison Healthcare Services ($429,842), Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center ($530,255) and Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy ($405,743) received the first half of those funding totals earlier this month, with the remaining portions due Aug. 1, 2024.
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