Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris’s pick for a running mate is being hailed as a healthcare champion and supporter of older adults by some, whereas others are treating the announcement with cautious optimism.
First elected to Congress in 2006, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz served 12 years in the House of Representatives, where he was on the Veterans Affairs Committee and Committee on Agriculture.
While in Congress, Walz helped pass the Affordable Care Act and has since worked to safeguard and build on its success, according to Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. Walz also is credited with working to protect the Medicaid and Medicare programs, lower prescription drug costs and protect access to reproductive healthcare.
Since he began serving as governor of The North Star State in 2019, assisted living providers have been affected by his actions. For instance, he signed a bill put forth by the legislature that established minimum staffing requirements and training requirements for assisted living as well as eviction protections for assisted living residents.
Also during his tenure, Minnesota passed legislation in 2019 — implemented in 2021 and amended in 2022 — creating an assisted living licensure law, making it the last state to license the setting.
Also in 2022, Walz signed the Frontline Worker Pay Law authorizing state-funded bonus payments to various frontline workers, including assisted living employees.
Record a ‘mixed bag’ for long-term care
LeadingAge Minnesota said it was “thrilled to see the Heartland” represented on the national stage but called Walz’s track record in Minnesota a “mixed bag” for the long-term care industry.
“His administration was a partner during the height of the pandemic, and we are grateful for the investments made during the 2023 legislative session,” LeadingAge Minnesota CEO Kari Thurlow told McKnight’s Senior Living. “However, the Walz administration has also supported unfunded mandates on Minnesota nursing homes, and we have struggled to find common ground to secure permanent funding for increasing caregiver wages.”
Like many states, Minnesota is struggling with a “pervasive” workforce shortage in long-term care, with a rapidly aging population “at our doorstep,” she said.
“This is an existential challenge that requires visionary leadership by any candidates seeking public office,” Thurlow said. “While we are thrilled to see the Heartland represented on the national stage, we are hopeful that vice presidential candidate Walz will remember the importance of access to care for older adults as he campaigns for higher office.”
The Alliance for Retired Americans called Walz a “pro-senior governor” for signing paid family and medical leave into law, including budget provisions to support retirees and family caregivers, and prioritizing vaccines for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Vice President Harris’ selection of Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate is another exciting and promising sign for seniors and their families,” Alliance President Robert Roach Jr. said in a statement. “She has clearly chosen someone who understands what matters most to older Americans and will fight for us.”
Outside of serving in government, Walz is a former member of the Army National Guard, taught high school social studies and was a football coach.
