In this issue
Dr.
Andrew Kopperud honored with MHA Caregiver of the Year Award
The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) in May 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.
Dr. Andrew Kopperud of Sanford Westbrook Medical Center received the MHA
Caregiver of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual or caregiving team
for providing outstanding patient-care services.
Kopperud has provided quality, patient-centered care for all ages at Sanford
Westbrook Medical Center since 2010. Additionally, he is currently chair of
seven Sanford Network Clinics, working with providers, clinic staff and
administrative staff to support and enhance high standards of quality care at
each facility. Kopperud has unselfishly stepped up to help neighboring
facilities during times of staff turnover, filling in until permanent staff are
hired. Every day, he demonstrates his commitment and passion to helping rural
residents and communities keep health care close to home.
In addition to his leadership at Sanford Westbrook Medical Center, Kopperud is
a member of numerous civic organizations and work groups related to health
care. His commitment to his patients and the community he serves embodies that
of a true caregiver.
Additional award winners will be profiled in upcoming issues of Newsline. To
learn more about the award winners, visit the MHA website. return to top
MHA’s
mental health agenda moves forward in the legislative process
On June 1, Governor Dayton signed HF 2747, the supplemental
appropriations bill for the 2016 legislative session, into law. While attention
has focused on items that did not pass, including a bonding bill funding public
building projects and a transportation package, some very positive things –
particularly MHA’s mental health agenda – made it through the legislative
process. There is still uncertainty whether the governor will sign or veto the
tax bill and whether he will call a special session to address the unresolved
bonding and transportation issues.
Recognizing that 2016 was scheduled to be a short legislative session with
minimal new expenditures being added to last year’s biennial health and human
services budget, MHA focused our legislative priorities on some key initiatives
aimed at both advancing access to community mental health services and
improving the inpatient mental health services provided by the state. We are
pleased the following three items advanced by MHA were included in the final
bill:
Passage of the Excellence
in Mental Health Act
MHA prioritized passage of the Excellence in Mental Health Act, which was
included in the final supplemental budget bill. This legislation will improve
mental health and addiction treatment by creating a “one-stop-shop” model of
certified community behavioral health clinics providing comprehensive,
coordinated and integrated care for both adults and children. Minnesota is
competing with 23 other states to be selected as one of eight states for this
national demonstration project. Without the state’s funding, Minnesota’s
selection would have been unlikely. The bill includes an initial $188,000 for
FY 2017 and $8.433 million for FY 2018-2019.
New funding to increase
capacity at Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (CBHHs)
The supplemental appropriation bill includes funding to allow six of the
state’s CBHHs to operate at their full capacity by serving 16 patients each.
These facilities have been operating at a 10-bed capacity. The bill provides an
additional $19.815 million in FY 2017 and $47 million in FY 2018-2019.
New funding for competency
restoration services
One of the biggest challenges facing Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems
is the shortage of capacity at the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center
(AMRTC). The appropriation bill includes $6.754 million in FY 2017 and $16.846
million in FY 2018-2019 to fund a stand-alone competency restoration program,
which would allow for the transfer of patients from AMRTC who no longer need
that level of service but who do need competency restoration services to a new
facility in St. Peter. This has the potential for AMRTC to treat approximately
20 more patients.
While these provisions will not solve all the challenges with the delivery of
mental health services, these supplemental appropriations will improve
Minnesota’s ability to address the growing mental health needs of our state.
Further detail about the 2016 session will be included in our Legislative
Session Report. For additional information, contact Mary Krinkie,
vice president of government relations, or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA. return to top
Register
now for July 25 PAC golf tournament
Registrations are filling fast for the Minnesota Hospital
Political Action Committee (PAC) 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. For information and to register your team, please contact Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA,
651-603-3526. return to top
Mental
Health Community Partners Network learning opportunity is June 29
The Mental Health Community Partners Network, a networking
opportunity for hospitals, clinics and community partners serving patients with
mental illnesses, continues to provide learning opportunities to stakeholders
from across Minnesota. The network, made possible by the Minnesota Hospital
Association’s Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Network and the
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), provides an opportunity to
plan for optimal care transitions for patients with mental illnesses.
The Mental Health Community Partners Network offers events and subject-specific
webinars through August 2016 on the topic of care transitions for the following
patient population groups:
- Patients admitted to an
inpatient psychiatric hospital unit
- Those with acute conditions and
known mental health diagnoses
- Patients with chronic disease
who develop mental health conditions
- Those who are newly diagnosed
with serious mental illnesses
The next networking event will take place on
Wednesday, June 29, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900
CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Learn more about the event and sign
up; registration closes on June 27. For more information, contact Jill Kemper, ICSI, 952-858-8991. return to top