Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

April 04, 2016

MHA Newsline: April 4, 2016

In this issue 

Allina Health offers teens ways to cope with stress

There is so much pressure for teens to be their best in school, at home, online, during after-school activities, in their social life – just about everywhere. Reducing stress is not always about changing your life; sometimes it’s about changing the way you deal with it. That’s why Allina Health created Change to Chill™ (www.changetochill.org), a free online resource to help teens get perspective on what matters.   

Change to Chill™ is a community health improvement initiative designed to help teens stress less and live a more balanced life. The online, mobile-friendly resource launched in November 2014 and provides free, easy-to-use information about stress – what it is, what can trigger it and how to best manage it.   

To date, 15,000 users have interacted with content on the Change to Chill™ website, and content and images from the website are effective on social media, reaching more than 300,000 people to date.   

“Mental wellness was identified as a priority in our recent Community Health Needs Assessment,” said Susan Nygaard, RN, manager of community health improvement. “Change to Chill is one resource we can provide to fill a gaping need in the community. The program is a prevention resource for teens. We want to teach them positive ways to react to stress so they can live a healthy and balanced life.   

Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full 2015 Community Benefit Reportreturn to top   

MHA testifies on “unlimited” MinnesotaCare expansion

Last week, Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, testified before the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee and voiced concerns about S.F. 2859. The bill would require the Commissioner of Human Services to seek a federal waiver permitting individuals, regardless of their income, to be eligible for MinnesotaCare. The bill is being referred to as the “MinnesotaCare purchase option” legislation, because individuals would pay for their coverage rather than receive subsidized coverage through the Health Care Access Fund. Enrollees would pay a premium similar to the average rate paid by the state to the managed care plans selected for participation in the MinnesotaCare program.   

There are many positive aspects of the MinnesotaCare program, including low premiums, low co-payments and a good benefit set, however, hospitals are reimbursed below cost. MinnesotaCare was designed and intended to be a coverage option for low-income Minnesotans who otherwise did not qualify for the Medicaid program.    

In the Minnesota Hospital Association’s 2015 Community Benefit report, government underfunding in the Medicare and Medicaid programs was estimated to be $2.3 billion. This is the actual value of the cost of care provided to patients for which hospitals did not receive federal and state program payments. Government payments below costs drive the need for cross-subsidization. This cross-subsidization comes from individuals with private insurance, which have traditionally paid hospitals above the costs of their provided care.   

“If S.F. 2859 were to be enacted, it could potentially move a significant number of Minnesotans who currently have private insurance into the MinnesotaCare program. This could jeopardize the financial footing for many Minnesota hospitals. Last year there were 38 Minnesota hospitals that had a negative operating margin. Hospitals need to preserve our commercially covered patients,” said Krinkie.   

Krinkie urged policymakers to keep MinnesotaCare focused on providing coverage for low income Minnesotans, and to not open it up to any and all Minnesotans, particularly those who have access to and can afford private health care coverage.   

Additionally, this week the Senate will hold hearings and accept public testimony on the governor’s budget bill, S.F. 3332 (Lourey – DFL – Kerrick).   

For a complete list of 2016 legislative bills MHA is tracking, visit the MHA Member Center. For assistance accessing the Member Center, contact Ashley Beno, member services and communication specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top   

Sexual assault examination training opportunities available

The Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) is hosting educational opportunities this spring for staff who work in the Emergency Department related to care of patients who have suffered sexual assaults.   

Topics covered during the four-hour training session include:

  1. Describe Trauma Informed Patient Care and interviewing techniques  
  2. List the types and techniques for collecting and packaging evidence  
  3. Describe genital anatomy and identification of injuries related to sexual assault  
  4. Discuss STI and pregnancy prophylaxis following sexual assault  
  5. Describe options for reporting a sexual assault to law enforcement 

There is no fee for the training, but registration is required and is limited to 25 participants at each session. The trainings will be held at: 

  • Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing 
    • Tuesday, April 19 
    • Wednesday, April 20 
    • Registration information is forthcoming. 
  • Tri-County Health Care, Wadena 
    • Tuesday, May 17 from 12:30-4:45 p.m. 
    • Wednesday, May 18 from 7:30-11:45 a.m. 
    • Email Wendy Wallace, staff education coordinator, Tri-County Health Care or call 218-631-5206 to register. 

For more information, contact Kari Ogrodowski, collaboration specialist, MNCASA, 651-209-9993 ext. 7450. return to top   

Don’t miss your chance to participate in the 2016 Summer Health Care Internship Program

Deadline to apply is Friday, April 15
Employer applications are still being accepted for the 2016 Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities and home care providers are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their community.   

The internship program benefits students by allowing them to explore health care careers and gain experience in a health care setting. The initiative also is a great opportunity for health care employers to become more involved in their communities.   

Up to half of an intern’s wages are reimbursed through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health & Primary Care. The grant is administered by MHA. The employer application form is available on the MHA website. The application deadline is Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m.   

For more information on the Summer Health Care Internship Program, visit www.mnhospitals.org/shcip or contact Sarah Bohnet, Summer Health Care Internship Program coordinator, 651-603-3494. return to top   

American Telemedicine Association annual conference May 14-17

The American Telemedicine Association’s (ATA) annual conference and trade show will be held May 14-17 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The ATA 2016 annual conference is the telemedicine industry’s leading event for networking and insights into the latest trends in telemedicine, digital, connected and mobile health.   

The conference agenda includes over 75 peer-reviewed sessions – as well as keynote presentations from leaders in telemedicine – on overcoming barriers and advancing telemedicine through professional, ethical and equitable improvement in health care delivery. In addition, over 300 healthcare technology product and service providers will be on display in the exhibit hall.   

Early bird pricing is available until April 15th. For more information and to register, click herereturn to top   

PAC golf tournament scheduled for July 25

Registration is now open for the Minnesota Hospital Political Action Committee golf tournament. The tournament will be held on Monday, July 25 at Territory Golf Club in St. Cloud. Lunch will be served at noon, shotgun start at 1 p.m., with a dinner buffet and awards to follow at 5 p.m. Please contact Carol Eshelman, PAC coordinator, 651-603-3539 for information and to register. return to top