Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

May 23, 2016

MHA Newsline: May 23, 2016

In this issue 

Minnesota hospital programs, leaders honored

Minnesota Hospital Association’s annual awards recognize patient safety, volunteerism, innovations in patient care, hospital excellence   

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) on May 20 honored innovative programs and outstanding leaders in health care at its 32nd annual awards ceremony.   

Seventeen awards were given for extraordinary achievement in categories ranging from advocacy on behalf of hospitals and volunteerism to innovation and improvement in patient care and patient safety.   

“Each day, all across the state, Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems are working to strengthen the health of our communities,” said MHA President and CEO Lawrence Massa. “Our exceptional care teams set the bar high for patient care and for meeting the needs of their communities. Thanks to their expertise, diligence and commitment to excellence, Minnesota’s hospitals continue to be among the best in the nation.”   

The awards and recipients are:   

American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion: Dr. Steven Mulder, president and CEO, Hutchinson Health   

Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace: Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul; River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic, Saint Peter   

Caregiver of the Year: Dr. Andrew Kopperud, Sanford Westbrook Medical Center   

Community Benefit: Lake Region Healthcare, Fergus Falls; Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby   

Good Catch for Patient Safety: Sherrie Eischens, RN, CHI St. Joseph’s Health, Park Rapids   

Innovation of the Year in Patient Care: Regions Hospital, Saint Paul; New Ulm Medical Center   

Patient Safety Improvement: Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul; River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic, Saint Peter   

Public Achievement: The Honorable Lucinda Jesson, former commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services   

Spirit of Advocacy: Joy Plamann, section director of hospital medicine, CentraCare Health   

Stephen Rogness Distinguished Service Award: John Fossum, CEO, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital   

Trustee of the Year: Ron Osladil, Essentia Health-Sandstone   

Volunteer of the Year Award: Bob Nelson, St. Cloud Hospital, CentraCare Health   

Associate Member of the Year: Witt/Kieffer   

Award winners will be profiled in upcoming issues of Newsline. To learn more about the award winners, visit the MHA websitereturn to top  

Legislature completed supplemental budget bill

The Legislature completed its work on the supplemental budget bill (HF2749). The bill now advances to Governor Dayton for his consideration.   

Key provisions of the bill include: 

  • Funds for the state share of the Excellence in Mental Health Act, a federal demonstration project to create Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. This was MHA’s highest priority for the session and we are very pleased that this was included in the final bill. 
  • Funds for increased staff at Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (CBHHs) at levels to be able to operate at licensed capacity. This potentially will provide six CBHHs with increased capacity of approximately six beds each; however, the St. Peter CBHH will now likely be the location for a new stand-alone competency restoration program, taking 10 beds out of the system.  
  • Funds for a stand-alone competency restoration program in St. Peter, freeing up some beds in Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center and St. Peter. 
  • Provides a 5 percent Medical Assistance rate increase for rural ambulance providers. 
  • Restores funding of $1.035 million to the Greater Minnesota family medicine residency program, beginning in 2017 and ongoing. Increases MERC by $1 million per year and ongoing. 

MHA is very pleased with the funding that the Legislature was able to move forward. We were disappointed that the 5 percent MA rate increase for preventive medical, dental and outpatient mental health services did not receive funding. The MinnesotaCare program is preserved as is with current eligibility, in line with MHA’s recommendation.   

View the final conference report.   

For additional information, contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA.   

Session bill tracker
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 communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top   

Minnesota hospitals urge action to improve community-based mental health care

Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems and MHA are continuing a statewide campaign to show the impact mental health has on families and communities around the state. To help increase awareness of mental health needs in Minnesota, MHA and members conducted editorial board visits and media briefings around the state to talk about mental health care issues in our communities.   

As a result, the Star Tribune published an editorial urging the Minnesota Legislature to Pass the Excellence in Mental Health Act. The editorial board wrote, “The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA), whose members are grappling with rising emergency room visits due to these conditions, correctly calls mental health the ‘most pressing public health crisis facing Minnesota.’ Legislators ought to heed that warning and approve the pragmatic solutions prescribed by the hospitals to help them meet the demand for care.”    

If you would like to schedule an editorial board or media visit in your region with MHA staff regarding the mental health campaign, please contact Emily Lowther, communications manager, MHA, 651-603-3495. return to top   

Civil commitment online training module available

A new civil commitment online training module is now available from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Subgroups of MHA’s Mental and Behavioral Health Committee and In-House Counsel Committee provided input into the development of the training.   

Civil commitment is the legal process by which a court orders mental health treatment. Voluntary treatment is always preferred, but if commitment is necessary, the ultimate goal is to provide the necessary care, while protecting the rights of the patient.   

The online training module outlines the process for civil commitment, explains the rights of individuals according to the law and identifies the roles and responsibilities of both medical and legal professionals.   

The training module can be found on the DHS website. MHA and DHS thank the MHA members who offered guidance and expertise to enrich the training. return to top

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