Minnesota Nursing Home One-Star Ratings, Federal Fines Surge Since 2019
Minnesota's one-star nursing homes under CMS's Five-Star Rating System rose from 34 in 2019 to 64 last month, while federal fines for neglectful or substandard care tripled from $2.3 million to $8.2 million, according to a Minnesota Star Tribune report cited by Skilled Nursing News. The state's nursing home count fell from 376 to fewer than 340, with 33 closures tied to staffing or financial pressures or conversion to assisted living. For-profit owners now control 30% of the state's nursing homes, including 50% of one-star facilities, though the Star Tribune noted this may reflect for-profit operators taking on already-troubled properties. The Long-Term Care Imperative, representing two nursing home trade groups, is asking state lawmakers for increased investment and a guarantee that residents can access a nursing home within 45 minutes of their home.