Minnesota Nursing Home Workers Get New Minimum Wage Floors

New minimum wages for nursing home workers in Minnesota will take effect on September 10. The Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board established the wage floors, which set hourly rates at $27 for licensed practical nurses, $23.50 for trained medication aides, $22.50 for certified nursing assistants, and $19 for all other workers. All categories are scheduled for an additional $1.50 increase on January 1.

The raises follow final approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on August 11. To fund the initiative, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated $37 million, with a comparable amount expected from the federal government. The Minnesota Department of Human Services intends to provide nursing homes with higher reimbursement rates retroactive to January 1.

While the Service Employees International Union championed the move to provide financial stability for caregivers, industry groups LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota have filed a federal lawsuit to dissolve the standards board. These organizations argue the board possesses excessive authority and that the mandates could force some facilities to close.