In response to Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom’s update on the backlog of complaints in the Office of Health Facility Complaints, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“While I am encouraged by this initial progress, there is still much work to be done in taking care of elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans. These are our moms and dads, our brothers and sisters, and our neighbors and friends, and they have been left in the dark for too long.

“This session, my focus will be on creating a more transparent, more accountable process for processing facility complaints, providing better access to data sharing for families, and working to change the culture of neglect and intimidation that has permeated the bureaucracy.

“Elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans, and their families, have suffered for too long due to agency backlogs and inaction. Progress in addressing this inaction is great, but there needs to be a comprehensive, substantive review of the department and a positive path forward. We owe elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans and their families, answers, accountability, and action this session.”

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.