St. Paul, MN - Today, the House State and Local Government heard HF979, authored by Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth), which would establish a Legislative Task Force on Aging. Rep. Klevorn has been carrying the legislation in response to the recent 2020 Census data that shows that Minnesota’s 65+ population was 948,841, or one in six Minnesotans. The state demographer estimates that an additional 285,000 Minnesotans will turn 65 over the next decade which is greater than the past 40 years combined.
“This huge demographic shift will have a widespread impact on Minnesota’s economy, health care system, and social services, and it’s imperative we are ready for it,” said Rep. Klevorn. “It is past time to begin thinking about these issues and how we will address them.”
If enacted, the task force will review aging-related government functions, programs, and services, plans to improve health and support services, public and private strategies to support family caregivers, sustainment of neighborhoods and communities, and supporting quality of care and life improvements in long-term care homes.
The taskforce would be comprised of two state representatives from each party, two state senators from each party, the chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging, the Chair of the Minnesota Council on Disabilities, the chair of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and the director of the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation.
HF 979 is being laid over for possible inclusion in a future package of state government legislation. Video of today’s hearing can be found on the House Public Information YouTube page.
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