In
this issue
CentraCare
Health’s Child Advocacy Center provides protection, justice, healing
The Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center serves children when there is a
concern of child abuse to help preserve the dignity and spirit of the child by
supporting, advocating for and educating families.
CentraCare Health opened the Child Advocacy Center in September 2016 to help
children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused. By working
closely with law enforcement, child protection, county attorneys, advocates,
mental health and medical professionals in one location, the health system can
ensure children receive the proper care and support during and after a child
abuse investigation.
A team of individuals with backgrounds in child abuse investigations work
together to help ensure that children and their families get access to
appropriate medical and mental health services right away. This
multidisciplinary team approach places the child’s interest first and ensures
that they receive supportive care through the entire process.
“The need for the services provided at the Child Advocacy Center has quickly
surpassed our expectations,” said Dr. Geri Jacobson, pediatrician for
CentraCare Health and medical director of the Child Advocacy Center. “We know
there are more children and families who will be referred to us for care.”
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
MHA
welcomes new director of state government relations
MHA has selected Kristen McHenry as its new director of state
government relations. McHenry’s role was previously held by Kristin Loncorich,
who is now MHA’s vice president, education and member services.
McHenry comes to MHA after nearly five years with the government relations team
at Allina Health. She brings a strong background in health care, robust
knowledge of the political landscape and familiarity with the issues facing
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems.
For support with state government relations efforts, MHA members can contact
McHenry by email
or by phone at 651-603-3526. return to top
Paid
family leave, opioid bills move forward in committees
Paid Family and Medical Leave Program passes
House labor committee
The House Labor Policy Committee on Jan. 30 heard and passed a bill to create a
new statewide program providing up to 12 weeks of medical leave with partial
wage replacement and up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with a new baby or
care for a sick loved one. HF 5, authored by Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan),
would utilize an insurance program like Minnesota’s unemployment insurance
program, collecting a new premium from both the employer and employee with the
Department of Employment and Economic Development administering the
benefits. Halverson stressed the measure is a work in progress and is
likely to evolve significantly as it moves through the committee process. After
public testimony and discussion, the bill passed on a party line vote and was
referred to the House Commerce Committee. MHA will be monitoring the progress
of this bill and will be seeking member input regarding the impact to
hospitals.
Opioid stewardship bill gets its
first hearing of 2019 session
The House Health and Human Services Policy Committee on Jan. 30 passed HF 400,
which seeks to help finance some targeted state efforts to address the opioid
crisis. Presented by chief author Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth) and co-author
Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar), the legislation funds a variety of initiatives to
save lives, provide treatment options to individuals experiencing addiction and
offset some of the growing child placement costs to counties associated with
opioid addiction. Additionally, the legislation seeks to better educate
prescribers about the dangers of addictive pain medications. The proposal is
funded by a new, short-term opiate product registration fee intended to
generate $20 million a year from pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesale
distributors, based on each businesses’ total share of the opioid sales market.
The bill passed on a 10-3 vote, with several Republican committee members
absent for the vote. The bill was referred to the House Commerce Committee.
With questions, contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government
relations, MHA, 651-659-1465, or Kristen McHenry, director of state government
relations, MHA, 651-603-3526.
Session bill tracker
For a complete list of 2019 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