Minnesota governor activates National Guard to support skilled nursing facilities

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is activating the state’s National Guard to form skilled nursing “response teams” that will provide support to facilities experiencing worker shortages. He also is proposing providing $50 million in federal funding to facilities to help with hiring and retention of staff.

Walz is making good on a statement made last month, when he said he expected “a fairly large contingent” of the National Guard would be enlisted to help with the statewide workforce shortage. Initially, 400 National Guard members will start training as certified nursing assistants and temporary nursing aides over the next week, according to the governor’s office. 

Read the full story from McKnight’s Senior Living here.