SAINT PAUL, MN – State Representative Bjorn Olson (R-Fairmont) applauded the $300 million in nursing home funding that passed late in the 2023 legislative session.
“Our nursing homes have been stretched thin for years, and we are at a point where the legislature had to take action,” Olson said. “We’re not out of the woods yet, but hopefully this new funding infusion will help our nursing homes meet some of the challenges they face.”
Olson said inflation and increased operating costs, pay challenges with wages rising faster than what had been budgeted, and a workforce shortage have caused many nursing homes to operate at less than full capacity, and in some cases close. Many nursing homes have also been forced to take out loans in order to make ends meet, and now they are at the point where they can no longer receive credit.
A $300 million nursing home funding package passed the House unanimously last session. Over half of the funds, $173 million, went to direct payments to nursing homes. Here’s how local nursing homes fared from this legislation:
St Lukes Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth:
• Total Payment: $482,057
• August 1, 2023: $241,028
• August 1, 2024: $241,028
Lakeview Methodist, Fairmont:
• Total Payment: $514,189
• August 1, 2023: $257,094
• August 1, 2024: $257,094
Living Meadows at Luther, Madelia:
• Total Payment: $385,661
• August 1, 2023: $192,830
• August 1, 2024: $192,830
Hillcrest Care and Rebab Center, Mankato:
• Total Payment: $566,404
• August 1, 2023: $283,202
• August 1, 2024: $283,202
Mapleton Community Home, Mapleton:
• Total Payment: $465,991
• August 1, 2023: $232,995
• August 1, 2024: $232,995
Truman Senior Living, Truman:
• Total Payment: $345,495
• August 1, 2023: $172,748
• August 1, 2024: $172,748