State Senator Rasmusson announces aid for 11 local nursing homes

Fergus Falls, MN – State Senator Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls today (August 26) announced the distribution of the second round of nursing facility grants, which will benefit 11 nursing facilities in the 9th Senate District.

The grants are part of a $173.5 million funding initiative that will be disbursed in two payments in August 2023 and August 2024.

Each facility will receive a base payment of $225,000 plus an estimated $3,900 per bed.

“This funding improves the financial stability of our nursing homes and helps maintain the important services they provide,” Said Senator Rasmusson.

In Senate District 9, a total of 11 nursing homes received their first payment on August 1, 2023 and their second payment by August 1, 2024.

The grants can be used for various financial management strategies to improve the financial health of nursing homes.

In total, over $5 million was provided to local nursing homes through the Nursing Facility Grants, with funding for each facility as follows:

• Barrett Care Center in Barrett: $387,815
• Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley: $375,603
• Evansville Care Center in Evansville: $347,112
• Society of the Good Samaritan in Battle Lake: $432,589
• LB Broen home in Fergus Falls: $526,208
• Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids: $359,322
• Living in Perham: $546,559
• PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls: $652,389
• St. Francis Home in Breckenridge: $600,836
• St. Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie, $440,730
• Traverse Care Center in Wheaton: $404,096

“Thanks to Senator Rasmusson’s determined efforts, the people we serve can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their needs will be met and their quality of life will be improved,” Nathan Johnson, CEO of PioneerCare and incoming chair of the board of directors of LeadingAge Minnesota, made the announcement. “His work is a testament to his tireless commitment to our seniors and the overall well-being of our communities.”

This funding is part of a bipartisan $300 million package passed by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2023 to address the nursing home crisis across the state.

As the Star Tribune reported, Senate Republicans made supporting nursing homes a “top priority” in end-of-session negotiations, with Senator Rasmusson playing a leading role in crafting the relief package.

(Story courtesy of Senator Rasmusson’s office)