Just a few updates before I leave on vacation…..

Advocacy

Legislative – the Senate and House Omnibus bills are moving along and we expect that they will go to the Conference Committee yet this week. Then they’ll negotiate between the House version (15.8% increase) and the Senate version (55% increase). As a reminder, the increase for aides is smaller, as expected. Brianna will be working with Anni on a grassroots advocacy push during the conference committee negotiations. Please plan to help with keeping our voice strong!

KSTP had done a story a while back on a kiddo that wasn’t able to be discharged due to lack of home care staff. He’s going home today – for the first time and KSTP is running that update as a story. It will be on the 5 pm and 6:30 pm news. We provided a legislative update for the agency who will be caring for him and I talked with the reporter. We are hoping this will continue to highlight the need for base rate increases!

I was asked to serve on the U of M Health Services Management Advisory Committee. This degree prepares non-clinicians for positions in various health care careers and the Faculty Director came from home care so she is making an effort to expand their focus beyond the long-time LTC focus. If you or someone you know would be interested in an intern from this program, please let me know. Adding non-clinicians to appropriate management roles would be one way to manage with fewer nurses. While we are advocating for home care, this topic also fits in my next update – workforce!

Workforce

I believe I have mentioned the scrubs camps that Health Force MN hosts. These are week long opportunities for high schoolers (there are a couple for younger kids) to learn about a variety of health care careers, through experiential learning. There are several camps across the state and each will vary, as the hosts do the scheduling. A camp includes several hour-long sessions that allow them to learn about different health care career options, through interactive activities. The students get an opportunity to interact directly with working professionals and sometimes have field trips, learning more about what it’s like to work in a particular field.

MHCA has been granted the opportunity to participate in a metro and Winona camp this year! The Workforce Workgroup members will inform the students about the various career options within home care and give them an opportunity to engage in home care related activities. This is exciting news for home care!!!

Other

Thanks to Laura, I have been in contact with a knowledgeable resource and have a tentative plan to cover Community Paramedicine at our summer board meeting and hopefully at the Annual Meeting!

I hope spring has FULLY arrived when I return! Kristy is up to speed on a few issues and will assist the staff if needed, in my absence.

I’ll be on vacation April 26 – May 11

Kind Regards,

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