Best Life Alliance Legislation
On Monday, February 11th, the Best Life Alliance Legislation (HF 179) was heard in the House Health and Human Service Policy Committee. Our author, Rep. Laurie Halverson, presented the bill and Judy Marder, chair of the Best Life Alliance group provided testimony in support of the bill. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee through a unanimous roll call vote and has now been re-referred to the Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
In addition to the Best Life Alliance proposal, an alternative proposal was also heard during committee on Monday. HF 168 which is carried by Rep. Jennifer Schultz was heard and amended. The amendment does the following:
- Moves the inflationary adjustment from every 5 years to every 2 years and accesses the most recently available data when making the adjustment
- Officially removes the 7% from statute, effective retroactively to July 1st, 2018
- Requires providers to pay Direct Support Professionals at a minimum the amount that is listed in the Base Wage within DWRS for that particular service
- Puts new reporting requirements on providers focused on workforce
As written, ARRM, along with the Best Life Alliance have concerns with the amendment as it puts new requirements on providers for compensation but does not provide any new funding. The bill author has indicated that additional amendments will be presented during future committee meetings that work to address our concerns.
During committee, ARRM and MOHR members were able to testify with their concerns to the bill as drafted. ARRM member Butch Karcher of Karcher Foster Services offered testimony on the workforce crisis and the struggles he, along with other providers are facing around staffing. MOHR member Lynne Noren of Rise provided testimony outlining concerns with the mechanics and implementation of the bill language as written.
We will keep you posted as the bill continues to move through the legislative process.
Workforce Hearing in the Senate
Also on Monday, Senator Jim Abeler held a hearing in his committee, Human Services Reform, Finance and Policy, focused on the workforce crisis in long term care services. ARRM staff Sue Schettle and Ken Bence provided testimony, along with ARRM members Butch Karcher of Karcher Foster Services and Jodi Harpstead of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Additional testimony was taken from the advocacy community and the older adults community. While there was no direct outcome from this hearing, it was a good opportunity to be able to get our message in front of the committee and continue to push for legislation to help address the workforce crisis.
You can watch clips of the hearing on ARRM's Facebook page.
Progress on other ARRM Bills
ARRM’s ICF bill (SF 909) was heard in the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee. ARRM’s Director of State and Federal Policy, Sara Grafstrom testified on behalf of the bill along with our lead author, Sen. Bruce Anderson. The bill was laid on the table until a formal fiscal note is available.
ARRM’s Policy bill was introduced in the House on Thursday; the bill number is HF 1256 and is carried by Rep. Hunter Cantrell. We are working with leadership to obtain a hearing for this bill in both the House and Senate.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
On Tuesday, February 19th, the Governor’s budget will be released. Please watch for information from ARRM and the Best Life Alliance on any potential actions that are needed from our grassroots advocates in response.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
-- Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy