On Wednesday, January 24, the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee and the Senate Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will hold a joint hearing to continue oversight of the Office of Health Facility Complaints. The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in room 1200 of the Minnesota Senate Building in Saint Paul. The public is encouraged to attend.

“For months, horrifying tales of abuse and neglect at senior care facilities across Minnesota have dominated the news, exacerbated by a climate of secrecy and intimidation at the Minnesota Department of Health and a failure on the part of the Office of Health Facility Complaints to address the allegations in a timely manner – or even at all,” said Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), chairwoman of the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee. “One of my top priorities, and the aim of this hearing, is addressing the dysfunction at the Office of Health Facility Complaints and moving the department toward its job of investigating maltreatment claims and protecting Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Wednesday’s hearing will be focused on providing continued oversight to the agency. The committees will hear from advocacy groups including ElderVoices, the Long-Term Care Imperative, and AARP, as well as from the legislative auditor and the departments of human services and health. There will also be discussion of an interagency agreement between both departments.

Last year, the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee discovered the Office of Health Facility Complaints was investigating a mere 1 percent of self-reported provider complaints and only 10 percent of maltreatment complaints. Since then, the committee has provided funding for the agency to hire additional investigators and held numerous stakeholder meetings focused on the agency’s improvement. The state health commissioner also resigned following the allegations.

“The immediate need for systemic change continues as we address the shortcomings of ineffective bureaucracy,” Senator Housley continued. “When we have complaints being thrown in the trash, a climate of intimidation and harassment, and families waiting months – if ever – for accountability, the fact is there needs to be action and, when appropriate, consequences. There is much work to do to restore the trust of the most vulnerable Minnesotans, but I want them to know my priority lies squarely in making sure they are cared for with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Senator Karin Housley is in her second term representing Senate District 39, which includes Stillwater, Forest Lake, Lake Elmo, and other communities in Chisago and Washington counties. She serves as chairwoman of the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee.