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Senators hear calls for expanded respite grants and broader eligibility for caregiver supports
Summary
Witnesses asked the committee to approve $4 million in respite grants and to expand eligibility for Essential Community Supports; senators laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion.
On March 10, 2025, the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee reviewed Senate File 1925, which would provide $4 million in grants to respite-care providers and expand eligibility for the Essential Community Supports (ECS) Medicaid program that offers direct support to caregivers.
Tuesday Glover, director of the Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support and Dementia Services team at Volunteers of America (VOA), described the local demand for respite: caregivers frequently cannot afford the typical $30to $40 session with a three-hour minimum, and many caregivers are retired with limited resources. She said VOA has used AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to stretch capacity and urged continued state funding for respite programs that help caregivers attend appointments and avoid burnout.
Robert Freeman and other advocates told senators that supporting family caregivers delays costly institutional placements and benefits the Medicaid program. Freeman noted there are "over 60,000 unpaid family caregivers" in Minnesota and estimated that keeping caregivers supported can produce large savings for the system. The bill would also propose placeholder language to expand ECS eligibility beyond the very low-income population currently served; sponsors said technical work with the Department of Human Services is ongoing to scope cost and feasibility.
Committee members discussed fiscal trade-offs and requested a fiscal note on potential expansions; the committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion.
Outcome: Senate File 1925 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
