As I’m writing up this update, I recognize just how busy and productive we have been! For the new board members, I provide a few highlights to the board in between our meetings to keep you up-to-date.

Our office is closed on Monday. I will be out of the office for the full week but reachable via text should staff need me.

Advocacy

Legislation

We are ramping up for the hearings on our bills. Senator Hoffman will carry both the underfunded home care services bill as well as the base increase bill in the Senate. Rep Klevorn will carry the underfunded House bill and we are finalizing the other House author. We hope to have the bill numbers very soon. We are planning to advocate by utilizing our grassroots champions that have been assigned to the Health and Human Services committee members, encouraging members to send pre-written Letters to the Editor for Greater MN newspapers and using Twitter. Please mark your calendar for Advocacy Week March 9-15 and plan to attend the Day at the Capitol virtual event March 9^th. We need many strong voices with our heavy ask this session so invite your staff to participate as well.

Workforce

We have a PP presentation prepared for nursing students; the first presentation will be at Bethel University next week, with four presentations scheduled there. We anticipate the other presentations to be in the fall.

The other sub-groups are scheduled and will begin their work over the next month.

We have been in dialogue with DHS and three member agencies regarding how home health can assist with the hospital decompression. One contract is nearing signature and another is looking hopeful. Once contracts are signed, we will make an announcement and share this in the Informer.

Membership/Member Resources

Membership renewals must be completed by the end of Feb. We have heard of a couple more members who plan to drop their membership. We’ll have more information for you at the March meeting.

We are going to approach educating and informing members on VBP in a multi-faceted approach. Brianna is working on creating a webpage, which will be similar to the COVID one; a repository for resources.

The CRR Committee is launching a Survey Watch Meetup that has received excellent response!

Strategic/Operational

The strategic workplan has been updated and will be ready for your approval at the March meeting.

We are drafting the documents for our 501c3 application and will report our progress at the next board meeting.

We have drafted an RFP for a PR consultant and gathering ideas for the career awareness campaign. We plan to begin seeking funding partners and meeting with potential consultant partners in March.

I’m not sure who from MN attended this year’s Home Care 100 but it sounds like it was excellent, once again. Attached is an interesting overview from that conference; it touches on the angst Medicare Advantage plans are causing.

Stay healthy and don’t blow away in this windstorm!

Be Well,

Kathy Messerli

Executive Director

Minnesota Home Care Association

1265 Grey Fox Road, Suite 2 | Arden Hills, MN 55112-6929

Direct: 651.635.0038 | Main: 651.635.0607