In response to a scathing report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Health Facility Complaints, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), chair of the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“The legislative auditor’s report underscores what we’ve known for the past year: the Office of Health Facility Complaints is in dire need of a significant overhaul. From errors in record keeping to high staff turnover to a climate of intimidation and fear, the Office of Health Facility Complaints has not been adequately serving the people of Minnesota, and it’s the people of Minnesota who are ultimately hurt by their failure. The Office of Health Facility Complaints was literally created to keep watch over our state’s care facilities, but it has become an unacceptable failure.

“While the Office of Health Facility Complaints has taken steps to address the backlog in complaints, there is still much work to be done. These are our moms and dads, our brothers and sisters, and our neighbors and friends. Let’s work together on the legislative auditor’s recommendations and strive for more transparent, more accountable processes for processing facility complaints, better access to data sharing for families, and a change the culture of neglect and intimidation that has permeated the bureaucracy.

“I look forward to spending the next several months of the legislative session examining proposals, working together on legislation, and moving forward with all stakeholders.”

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.