MN HF1419

Adds nursing home wage standards (established by the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board on October 28, 2024) as an external fixed cost in nursing facility reimbursement calculations, effective January 1, 2026

Creates a new "known cost change factor" starting January 1, 2027 that adjusts reimbursement rates based on minimum wage increases approved by the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board within the previous 12 months

Establishes minimum hourly wage thresholds for rate adjustment calculations: $19.00 for all nursing home workers, $22.50 for certified nursing assistants, $23.50 for trained medication aides, and $27.00 for licensed practical nurses in 2026, increasing to $20.50, $24.00, $25.00, and $28.50 respectively in 2027

Requires nursing facilities to apply by October 1 each year with employee wage data and a spending plan to receive the rate adjustment; facilities with union representation must include a letter of acceptance from the bargaining agent

Updates elderly waiver rate calculations to use the most recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data (rather than pre-2019 data) and requires annual updates to component rates and payroll taxes/benefits factors starting January 1, 2026