Powerful Public Policy 

AGE-FRIENDLY MINNESOTA COUNCIL

• We support a policy proposal at the Legislative Task Force on Aging and in the 2025 Legislative Session that makes permanent the needed authority and funding to continue the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council, including community grantmaking and Multisector Blueprint for Aging efforts. Learn more >

HOME CARE INVESTMENTS

• We support a proposal to increase access to home care services though targeted investments, including increasing MA home care services reimbursement rates, establishing reimbursement for a limited number of required care evaluation visits, and establishing a Home Care Careers Recruitment and Retention grant.

DEFAULT SURROGATE CONSENT

• We support a proposal to add provisions in Minnesota law commonly known as “default surrogate consent” that would guide medical providers in the event an incapacitated individual is not represented by a formally appointed health care agent or court appointed guardian and has not otherwise provided applicable health care instructions.

CONSUMER FRAUD RESTITUTION FUND

• We support a proposal to create a state-level Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would help scam/fraud victims recover financially. Using civil penalty payments collected by the Attorney General from consumer fraud cases, consumers could receive restitution in cases where the AG isn’t able to collect money from scammers.

DEMENTIA GRANT FUNDING INCREASE

• We support a proposal seeking increased funding for existing dementia grants ($750,000) administered through the Minnesota Board on Aging to reach more families across Minnesota through local evidence-based programs. It is estimated at an additional $750,000 annually. HF1674/ SF 1689

DEMENTIA TREATMENT COVERAGE

• We support a proposal to require insurance coverage for FDA-approved dementia drugs statewide. This would ensure equitable access to treatments, improving early intervention, reducing caregiver stress, lowering long-term care costs, and enhancing dignity and wellbeing for all. HF 1269/SF 1998

DEMENTIA STAFF POSITION AT MDH

• We support a proposal to fund a permanent, full-time Dementia Programs Manager to work across state agencies to coordinate efforts and reduce duplication, identify service gaps, analyze and collect data and track progress toward the Minnesota Dementia Strategic Plan. HF 794/SF 1030

RESPITE GRANTS

• We support a proposal to support caregivers, mitigate burnout, bolster the workforce, and reduce more expensive and intensive residential care by allocating funds for grants to respite care providers that help defray individual’s caregiving costs. It is estimated at $4 million this biennium in base funding. HF 1678/SF 1925

HOMELESS ELDERS PROGRAM

• We support a proposal to create stable funding for Catholic Charities’ Homeless Elders program. Established in 2008, the program has a strong reputation in the region that was enhanced by a dedicated state appropriation in 2023, which will expire in June 2025. It is estimated at $1.5 million/year in ongoing funding.

COMMUNITY CARE HUBS

• We support a proposal to help Juniper help older Minnesotans bridge the gaps between medical and social care by jumpstarting the infrastructure necessary to connect community organizations, healthcare providers, public health and insurers. It is estimated at $9.9 million to expand and add services and build public and private payer partnerships.

MINNESOTA BOARD ON AGING FUNDING

• We support administrative funding that would help the MBA guide policy implementation of the Older Americans Act Final Rule and expand capacity of Senior Linkage Line Services. It is estimated at $2 million annually ongoing and includes four MBA staff and an allocation for up to three staff at six AAAs for Senior Linkage Line services. HF 1472. SF 1789

INCREASED ACCESS TO SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING

• We support proposals to 1) extend the current Supported Decision-Making grant program from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and 2) continue funding for Supported Decision-Making Grants with a $2 million investment to grants, managed by DHS.

SENIOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM

• We support proposal to renew the 2023 one-time $11M biennial appropriation for senior meals and to establish a supportive services program in the MN Board on Aging statute to fund, through a $4M biennial appropriation, the core services of assisted transportation, homemaker and chore for older adults. The population to be served are older adults in greatest social and economic need who are not served through Medical Assistance, Essential Community Supports, Alternative Care or Elderly Waiver.
  

I. Submitting Your Proposal

Anyone may submit a policy solution for endorsement by the Leadership Council via our online form or by contacting the Executive Director. Submissions explore the type of endorsement requested, including:

1. Use of the Leadership Council's name as having endorsed the proposal
2. Letter of Support
3. Op-Ed article for distribution (created collaboratively with the Policy Committee Chair and approved by Board of Directors)
4. Testimony (members or Executive Director)
5. Other requests, such as participation in a rally, letter writing campaign, hosting a meeting with legislators, etc.

Submissions also require a brief description of the policy solution (background, high level bill summary), the House and/or Senate File Numbers (if known) and any other comments.

II. Policy Committee Review

Submissions are shared with all Leadership Council Delegates at least 48 hours before the Policy Committee conducts a preliminary review of each proposal, which includes a discussion of three primary criteria questions:

1. Does the proposal align with the mission and values of the Leadership Council?
2. Would the proposal positively benefit from Leadership Council endorsement?
3. Would endorsement introduce significant organizational risk, divide Leadership Council members or negatively impact our trusted brand?

The Policy Committee votes on each proposal and advances those recommendations to the Leadership Council for consideration. Each Policy Committee member organization holds one vote, and the majority must vote in the affirmative for it to advance. If it does not advance, the submitter is notified.

III. Leadership Council Decision

Within 24 hours, the Policy Committee recommendations and all documentation is sent to all Leadership Council Delegates, who then have 72 hours (over business days) to vote. All members must vote in the affirmative for passage of the endorsement. Even one Council Delegate veto stops the proposal from being endorsed. Submitters are then notified of the Leadership Council's position.

This final decision is binding and not appealable. If significant modifications to the proposal occur, the proposal can be resubmitted for endorsement.

The contacts who submit proposals will then be notified and our policy endorsements will be posted on this page. The Executive Director will work with submitters on required next steps, materials and action steps to fulfil the approved endorsements of the Leadership Council.