Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

February 04, 2019

MHA Newsline: Feb. 4, 2019

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 Reportreturn 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