Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

May 14, 2018

MHA Newsline: May 14, 2018

In this issue 

MHA inducted into AHAPAC Hall of Fame

The Minnesota Hospital Association on May 7 was one of 20 state hospital associations inducted into the American Hospital Association Political Action Committee (AHAPAC) Hall of Fame during the AHA Annual Meeting. The Hall of Fame acknowledges state hospital associations meeting their AHAPAC goal for 25 consecutive years.   

Randy Ulseth, CEO, FirstLight Health System, Mora, accepted the award on behalf of MHA from Rick Pollack, president and CEO, AHA. MHA thanks all the PAC contributors who have helped us meet this goal. return to top  

Capital investment, bonding, opioid, supplemental budget bills move forward

Last week the Senate released its version of the capital investment bill, SF 4013 authored by Sen. Dave Senjem (R-Rochester), which includes $30 million for regional behavioral health crisis centers and $50 million in supportive housing for people living with mental illnesses. MHA strongly supports these two important provisions. The House bonding bill, HF 4404 authored by Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) includes $25.1 million for behavioral health crisis centers. MHA prefers the Senate bill, but the biggest challenge is to encourage legislators to vote in favor of passing a bonding bill this year. Bonding bills require a supermajority of votes, three-fifths of the body, with the Senate needing 41 votes and the House needing 81 votes for passage. MHA members are encouraged to communicate their support for the Senate version of the bonding bill.  

In a strong bipartisan show of support for holding the pharmaceutical industry at least partially responsible for Minnesota’s opioid crisis, the Senate passed its version of this year’s opioid legislation on a 60-6 vote. SF 730 authored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) requires pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers to pay increased registration fees to be able to sell or distribute opioids in the state, raising an estimated $20 million a year, which will be used to fund various county expenses relating to child protection and foster care costs and addiction treatment services. The House bill, HF 1440 authored by Dave Baker (R-Willmar), currently only includes general fund dollars and is expected to be taken up on the House floor on Wednesday. Differences in the bills will need to be quickly resolved in a conference committee.   

The conference committee on the supplemental budget bill started to meet last week. MHA submitted a letter to the committee outlining the provisions MHA supports as well as the items of concern in the bill.   

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.   

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, hospital leaders meet with Minnesota’s congressional delegation

MHA members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Hospital Association annual conference and to meet with Sens. Klobuchar and Smith and Reps. Walz, Lewis, Paulsen, McCollum, Emmer, Peterson and Nolan.   

Members shared their efforts to improve care quality and reduce health care costs, including significantly reducing hospital readmissions resulting in Medicare and Medicaid savings. They also discussed the impact of opioid abuse in their communities and highlighted programs to reduce opioid prescribing and urged federal lawmakers to support legislation that will improve access to treatment, including expanding the use of medication-assisted treatment.

Additionally, members discussed the importance of the 340B Drug Discount Program, adequate Medicare payments for telehealth services and the challenges facing rural health care providers.   

With questions, contact Briana Nord Parish, policy analyst, MHA, 651-603-3498, or Ben Peltier, vice president, legal and federal affairs, MHA, 651-603-3513. return to top   

MHA Summer Trustee Conference to be held July 13-15

MHA’s annual Summer Trustee Conference will be held July 13-15 at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria. The conference, themed “Strategies for Effective Governance,” will offer participants six general sessions and nine breakouts on issues of transformation, reform, patient safety and the future of health care. National speakers will present on both practical applications and governance best practices.   

For more information or to register, view the conference brochure. Print copies of the brochure were mailed to member trustees and chief executive officers last week. Group accommodations at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center can be booked onlinereturn to top

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