Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

May 21, 2018

MHA Newsline: May 21, 2018

In this issue 

Mad dash to complete the 2018 legislative session

The 2018 legislative session concluded May 20 with a mad dash to complete several bills of significance. The Legislature passed a nearly 1,000-page omnibus supplemental budget bill, a capital investment bonding bill, a federal tax conformity bill that includes some additional new education funding provisions, a pension reform bill and other legislation of interest to the hospital community.   

The governor has indicated he may veto several of the bills because he and legislative leaders never reached a final global budget agreement. The governor now has 14 days to consider bills that made it through the legislative process, as opposed to the three-day consideration timeframe that exists when the Legislature is in session. Bills that do not receive a gubernatorial signature within that 14-day window are considered to have received a pocket veto.   

Of most importance to the hospital community are significant new investments in the state’s mental health infrastructure contained in the bonding bill. HF 4425, the newly amended bonding bill, contains $28.1 million for mental health crisis centers, $1.9 million for the Scott County mental health crisis center and $30 million for housing infrastructure bonds for persons with behavioral health needs. MHA members are asked to contact the governor’s office to urge him to sign this important legislation into law.   

MHA’s sponsored legislation to streamline the Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) and crisis services facility licensing process was signed by the governor. The governor also signed the workers’ compensation outpatient payment reform legislation that MHA has been working on for the last two years. This legislation contained language to add PTSD diagnosed in police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and nurses employed to provide emergency medical services outside of a medical facility as an occupational disease eligible for workers’ compensation. Thank you to MHA members who helped to pass these important pieces of legislation.   

A more detailed analysis of the legislation will be sent to MHA members in the next few weeks and will be discussed at region meetings in June.   

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 tracked, 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   

Learn about MHA’s new analytics platform at May 23 webinar

The second in a series of MHA webinars on the new 3M Performance Matrix analytics platform will be held on May 23 from 12-1 p.m. The platform, which is a new member benefit without cost for participating members to access the tool, was launched in February.   

To help members make the best use of the new capabilities, MHA is offering a series of webinars as opportunities to learn and ask questions. This webinar will cover frequently asked questions about the tool and examine real-world solutions to the most common asks. Objectives include: 

  • Respond to frequently asked questions, answer new questions and hear feedback 
  • Review access and account setup 
  • Learn how to identify the top medical reasons for hospital visits 

To submit a question in advance of the webinar, email performancematrix@mnhospitals.org. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the live webinar.   

Future webinars will cover such topics as potentially preventable events, risk-adjustment methodology and quality measures.  

To register for the webinar or submit a topic suggestion for a future webinar, contact Jenny Sanislo, division assistant, MHA, 651-659-1440. return to top   

MHA to host program on effectively serving health care needs of transgender community

MHA has partnered with Fairview Health Services to host a lunch-and-learn educational program on effectively serving the health care needs of Minnesota’s transgender community. During the program, titled “Transgender Health Care: Sharing Our Experiences,” speakers will share basic information and knowledge around transgender terminology, pronouns usage, billing and technology (electronic health record), human resources and medical and spiritual care. The event will also include a panel on patient and family experiences.   

The program will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 21 at the Radisson Hotel Roseville. View the agenda in the brochure. For more information, visit MHA’s website; login, click on “Calendar of Events” and select the program title to register. return to top   

Next issue of Newsline will be published May 29

Newsline will not appear on May 28 due to the Memorial Day holiday. The next issue of Newsline will be published on May 29. return to top

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