State Senator Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) has announced that nursing homes in his district are receiving their second round of emergency aid payments, part of a $300 million bipartisan package passed by the Minnesota legislature in 2023.
The agreement included direct grants, wage increases, and a workforce incentive fund aimed at supporting Minnesota’s nursing homes. In addition to these grants, which do not need to be repaid, the 2023 Human Services bill included $100 million in loan opportunities.
“It is great to see another round of assistance going out to Minnesota’s nursing homes,” Sen. Drazkowski said. “These funds are crucial for maintaining quality care for our seniors and ensuring the survival of our nursing homes. Republicans fought hard to secure this aid, pushing for even higher levels of assistance to address the dire situation faced by these facilities.”
Facilities in Senator Drazkowski’s district receiving payments include:
- MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYS LAKE CI, Lake City, $298,091
- Pine Haven Care Center Inc, Pine Island, $256,848
- St Elizabeths Medical Center, Wabasha, $318,712
- St. Crispin Living Community, Red Wing, $244,476
- The Green Prairie Rehab Center, Plainview, $215,606
- Zumbrota Care Center, Zumbrota, $194,985
Drazkowski emphasized that the aid package has been a top priority for Republicans, who initially proposed a higher level of assistance. “Democrats resisted our efforts, but we stood firm that this was, and is, a critical issue,” Sen. Drazkowski said. “This compromise, while less than what we sought, will still make a significant impact in preventing further nursing home closures.”
Nursing Facility Grants totaling $173.5 million were split into two payments in August 2023 and August 2024. The first round of funding was issued last August; the second round of funding was issued at the beginning of August 2024.
The grants can be used for various strategies to improve the financial health of nursing homes. Unlike loans in the Human Service budget, these grants will not need to be repaid, making their impact much more meaningful for nursing homes.
Over the past few years, Minnesota has seen the closure of 50 nursing homes. This funding aims to prevent further shutdowns and maintain critical care services for the state’s aging population.