In
this issue
Hospitals
contribute $5.2 billion in uncompensated care, health improvement programs to
Minnesota communities
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems contributed nearly $5.2
billion in programs and services in 2017 to benefit the health of their
communities, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to 2016, according to the
latest annual Community Benefit Report released by MHA.
“Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems are dedicated to their community
service missions of supporting their communities by promoting health,” said
Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of MHA. “Much of what influences our health
happens outside of the doctor’s office – in our schools, workplaces and
neighborhoods. Just as our care teams devote themselves to meeting the needs of
patients in the hospital, our hospitals and health systems are driven to
address their communities’ needs.”
Of the $5.2 billion, Minnesota hospitals provided $502 million in proactive
services responding to specific community health needs, such as health
screenings, health education, health fairs, immunization clinics and other
community outreach, including in the areas of fitness, nutrition, weight loss,
mental health and diabetes prevention.
To learn more and view the full report, visit the MHA website. return to top
MHA
meets with congressional staff to discuss legislative priorities
Despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government,
Ben Peltier, vice president, legal and federal affairs, MHA, and Briana Nord
Parish, director of policy, MHA, were able to meet with congressional staff during
a visit to Washington, D.C. They discussed MHA’s 2019 legislative priorities
and introduced MHA to the new members of the delegation.
MHA’s federal legislative priorities for 2019 include:
- Providing meaningful health
care coverage for all Minnesotans
- Ensuring federal health care
payments support high-quality and highly efficient providers
- Addressing rising
pharmaceutical costs
- Expanding access to mental
health care through continued support for Certified Community Behavioral
Health Clinics
- Providing regulatory relief for
hospitals and health systems to allow for flexibility to improve the
quality and efficient delivery of care
While Congress seems unable to reach agreement on how to end the
partial government shutdown, Minnesota’s delegation was eager to identify
issues where they can work together. Democratic and Republican delegation staff
identified addressing rising drug prices as a potential area for bipartisan,
bicameral cooperation. MHA discussed the challenges related to growing drug
prices for hospitals and health systems and their patients. MHA also
highlighted the importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program in providing
additional resources to hospitals to support community benefit services.
For additional information on MHA’s federal priorities, contact Ben Peltier,
651-603-3513, or Briana Nord Parish, 651-603-3498. return to top
New
resources available on MHA Member Center
The MHA Member Center provides resources and
information exclusively for MHA members. Members can manage their contact
information, register for upcoming events and access important member-exclusive
documents.
New for 2019, MHA has refreshed the Member Center interface to help members
more quickly find information. In addition, new resources on priority topics
are now posted.
The Member Center is username and password protected. For assistance accessing
the Member Center, contact Ashley Beno, member services and
communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top