In
this issue
Mayo
Clinic Health System in Mankato works to reduce local hunger by supporting
BackPack Food Program
More than 900 Mankato-area students receive weekend food packs
through the BackPack Food Program to reduce hunger and ensure they’re ready to
learn when they get back to school. Mayo Clinic Health System has been
partnering with the program for the past three years, donating time and dollars
to support this important initiative.
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing commitment of Mayo Clinic Health
System,” said Sheri Sander-Silva, executive director of Feeding Our Communities
Partners. “It’s rare and wonderful to find a partner that is willing to offer
support on so many levels. Mayo Clinic Health System employees volunteer for
monthly food packing sessions and have adopted a school as a weekly
distribution team. They also provide financial contributions that allow for the
purchase of nutritional food items. Each component is integral to the success
of the BackPack Food Program and our ability to feed hungry tummies.”
Mayo Clinic Health System has been the primary financial contributor to the
Winter Feed & Read program by providing $5,000 to purchase perishable food
items for the long holiday break. This is a special winter break pack to get
kids through the long holiday break and includes healthy perishable items like
milk, bread and cheese sticks. Mayo Clinic Health System employee volunteers
spend two days at BackPack Central giving out these winter break packs to
families on the program.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
Legislative
update
Last week the Legislature continued to advance the opioid
stewardship fee legislation, SF 730 authored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon
City) and HF 1440 authored by Dave Baker (R-Willmar). The Senate’s Health and
Human Services Finance and Policy Committee passed its version of the bill,
sending the bill to full Senate Finance, with the stewardship fee as well as an
increased licensure fee for drug manufacturers selling products in Minnesota.
The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee removed the stewardship
fee and replaced the potentially new revenue source with $20 million in general
funds.
MHA remains supportive of the stewardship fee as it is contained in the Senate
bill; however, we are pleased that both the Senate and House continue to advance
this important legislation with new funding to help address the opioid crisis
in Minnesota. MHA’s Strengthening Healthy Communities campaign is running
advocacy ads urging Minnesotans to contact their legislators in support of the
opioid legislation.
The first committee deadline of the session is March 22 at midnight. Bills must
have been passed in all policy committees in at least one of the two
legislative bodies to still be considered this legislative session.
With questions, contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government
relations, MHA, 651-659-1465, or Kristin Loncorich, director of state government relations, MHA,
651-603-3526.
Invite legislators to visit
hospitals during spring recess
Legislators appreciate hearing from constituents about health care issues and
issues affecting their community’s hospital. Please plan to invite local
legislators to hospitals in their home districts for meetings during the
legislative spring recess, March 30 – April 8. Use the grassroots matching list
found on the MHA Member Center to contact your legislators’
offices as soon as possible to schedule a visit.
MHA’s legislative priorities are available online. Additional resources and information
will be shared with chief executive officers and government relations officers
by email.
Session bill tracker
For a complete list of 2018 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
MHA
region meetings reminder
MHA staff encourages CEOs and hospital leadership to join us at
our quarterly region meetings over the next two weeks. The schedule is:
- 11:30 a.m., March 20, St. Cloud
Hospital Conference Center
- 12 p.m., March 21, RC Hospitals
and Clinics, Olivia
- 9 a.m., March 23, New Ulm
Medical Center
- 12 p.m., March 28, Sanford
Thief River Falls Medical Center
- 9 a.m., March 29, St. Luke’s
Hospital, Duluth
Please RSVP to Dee Dee Heffernan, executive assistant, MHA, 651-603-3533. return to top