Home Care Provider Advisory Council Minutes
Date: December 7, 2015
Attendance:
Council members:
MDH Representatives:
Others:
Amy Nelson, Suzan Sinna
Josh Berg, Lari Anne Mazzitello
9 Visitors
*Due to low attendance most items on the agenda were briefly discussed and postponed until
more members were present.
Updates (Josh Berg)
Medical cannabis is in use in the home care community. The state is determining how to apply
in locations where conflicting state and federal laws apply. Certified Nursing Assistants need to
be aware that many have to retake their tests before obtaining a valid license. The new book
containing Home Care Laws for the 2015 Minnesota Statutes is available for sale online at
Minnesota’s Bookstore. This year’s cover is blue. Several proposals were forwarded up to
modify home care laws. The majority were minor housekeeping changes. At this time we are
awaiting a final decision on which changes would continue to move forward in the process.
Restructure of Advisory Council (Josh Berg)
MDH would like for the council to consider taking a more active role in advising MDH.
Additionally, the terms of office should be corrected to meet Minnesota Statutes 15.059.
Currently, most HCPAC terms end February 2018. Minnesota advisory councils should have 4
year terms. Four members’ terms should match the governor’s term and the other four ending
on the first Monday in January the following year. Finally, MDH would like the council to
consider crafting by-laws and electing officers to run the meetings instead of MDH. *Topic was
forwarded to a future meeting due to attendance.
Dementia Training (Josh Berg)
Dementia training will be a requirement for certain home care providers as of January 1, 2016
(Minnesota Statutes 144D.065 and 144A.4796, subdivision 5). Although it is a transition year,
surveyors will be incorporating the new training requirement into surveys beginning January 1,
2016. No penalty assessments will apply until January 1, 2017 (Minnesota Statutes 144D.066,
subdivision 2).
HCPAC Minutes
Page 2
December 7, 2015
Workforce Shortage (Josh Berg)
MDH would like the council to consider options and solutions for the ongoing workforce
shortage that affects the home care industry. *Topic was forwarded to a future meeting due to
attendance.
Addressing Growing Needs of Minnesota Seniors (Josh Berg)
MDH would like the council to consider the following topics to help address the growing needs
of Minnesota seniors:
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How to address affordable senior housing.
How to improve aging in place options.
Cities’ roles in helping to address the growing needs of Minnesota seniors.
*Topic was forwarded to a future meeting due to attendance.
Future FY 2016 meetings:
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March 7, 2016: 3-5 pm at the Wilder Center Auditorium A
o (Rescheduled: April 11, 2016. Same time and location.)
June 6, 2016: 3-5 pm at the Wilder Center Auditorium A