In
this issue
MHA
leaders meet with members of Congress
As the federal government headed for its first shutdown in more than four
years, MHA leaders were on Capitol Hill advocating for issues important to
Minnesota hospitals and health systems. Lorry Massa, president and CEO, MHA;
Matt Anderson, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA; and Ben
Peltier, vice president, legal and federal affairs, MHA, met with many members
of the Minnesota Congressional delegation including Minnesota’s newest senator,
Tina Smith.
As expected, our federal legislators and their staffs were concerned about
funding the federal government. MHA encouraged Congress to reauthorize funding
for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health
Centers, adopt important Medicare provisions including a reauthorization of the
Low-Volume Hospital Program and make changes to limits on therapy services for
Medicare patients. In addition, MHA highlighted the importance of the 340B drug
discount program in providing additional resources to hospitals to support
community benefit services.
For additional information on MHA’s federal priorities or for assistance
dealing with the government shutdown, contact Ben Peltier,
651-603-3513. return to top
Impacts
on HHS during federal government shutdown
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released guidance on what activities will continue or
be suspended during the federal government shutdown.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue to process
Medicare claims and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s
activities will continue.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be unable to make
payments for the Children’s Hospital GME Program. However, it will continue
activities related to the Community Health Centers; National Health Service
Corps; and Maternal, Infant and Child Health Home Visiting program. return to top
Opportunity
Conference to educate policymakers, practitioners on latest LGBTQ health
initiatives
Health care professionals and government leaders
are encouraged to attend the 2018 Opportunity Conference March 26-27 in
Brooklyn Center. Organized by Minnesota-based Rainbow Health Initiative, this
is the largest LGBTQ health conference in the Midwest. Conference sponsors
include MHA members Allina Health, Fairview Health Services, HealthEast Care
System and Mayo Clinic.
Policymakers and practitioners will learn how to advance LGBTQ health from
industry leaders through two full days of workshops and breakout discussions.
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit and
participants will receive 13 credits upon completion of the
conference. Registration closes Friday, March 16. Learn more and register online. return to top