Rural Issue

Rural home healthcare concerns

A farmer in southern Minnesota wants to see rural home healthcare challenges addressed.

Mike Peterson of Northfield says personal care attendants help his oldest son, who has cerebral palsy.

“It’s just hard to get help (with) PCA care at the wage scale and resources that the system has made available.”

The Minnesota Farmers Union member met virtually this week with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and while no solutions were identified, he says it’s good to have an ear at the Capitol.

“He seemed pretty interested and concerned. And to be honest with you, at the rate they’re paying home healthcare people, we can use a little bit of embarrassment on our side to lobby for a better wage for these people because the wage scale that’s been set is nothing I’m proud of as a Minnesotan.”

Peterson says the personal care attendants who are providing compassionate hands to care for his son are being paid below $15 an hour.