Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

February 11, 2019

MHA Newsline: Feb. 11, 2019

In this issue 

Windom Area Hospital teams up for diabetes prevention

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 30.3 million Americans are diabetic with 1.25 million being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as of 2015. As obesity rates continue to rise, with an estimated 84.1 million Americans being considered prediabetic, there is a need to raise awareness toward prevention efforts for Type 2 diabetes. Windom Area Hospital works alongside community organizations to increase awareness of the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and promote community resources available to both diagnosed diabetics and those at risk for developing diabetes. 

The idea to hold a local awareness event was brought to the Windom community in 2016 with an open call for stakeholders and businesses to offer resources for diabetics in the community. Windom Hy-Vee, River Valley Fitness, Windom Area Hospital, Windom Area Health & Fitness and the Lions Club of Windom answered the call and offered education and information to Hy-Vee shoppers. This event also featured free blood glucose screenings, samples of diabetic-friendly recipes, products and education about how to prevent and manage diabetes. The first year was an overwhelming success, with an estimated 150 shoppers receiving blood glucose screenings and learning more about diabetes. 

Three years later, community members can find the same organizations offering their expertise, tips and samples of diabetic-friendly recipes at Windom Hy-Vee on the first Saturday in November. Shoppers approach Hy-Vee dietitian Linda Carruthers as early as June to inquire about when the event will be held. Carruthers sees the value of collaboration in small communities. “This is a great opportunity to show the partnership between different organizations to provide very valuable information on diabetes to our community,” she said. 

Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Reportreturn to top   

Legislative update

Opioid legislation receives second hearing
Legislation related to a variety of initiatives that would help address the opioid epidemic (HF 400) received a hearing in the House Commerce Committee on Feb. 6. MHA continues to be a strong supporter of this legislation and provided a letter of support highlighting the need to have a sustained and coordinated strategy at the state level to truly address the myriad issues patients, health care providers and communities are addressing. The bill passed out of the Commerce Committee and will be heard in the Government Operations Committee on Feb. 12.  

MHA testifies in opposition to SF 13
Legislation that would require all hospitals to provide all patients an itemized description of billed charges that does not use “medical jargon” within 21 days of discharge was heard on Feb. 7 in the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, testified in opposition to SF 13, authored by Sen. Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake). 

“This new government mandate would create confusion for patients, particularly because this is not a statement regarding a patient’s financial responsibility. In addition, it would add processing, mailing and call center costs – with no patient care benefit,” said Krinkie. She shared that Minnesota hospitals have over 500,000 inpatient stays each year.   

After hearing concerns from MHA as well as from committee members, the bill was laid on the table to allow for additional work to be done. MHA will continue to engage the bill author and committee members to share our concerns and work to improve the bill. 

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. 

Special election results 
On Feb. 5, a special election was held in Senate District 11 to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Tony Lourey, who was appointed commissioner of the Department of Human Services by Gov. Walz. State Rep. Jason Rarick, a republican from Pine City, received 8,127 votes to defeat the democratic candidate Stu Lourey, who received 7,171 votes. Rarick’s victory gives the GOP Senate a 35-32 margin and triggers another special election, this one to fill his House District 11B seat. return to top   

Join MHA members and leaders at the AHA Annual Meeting

Registration is open for the American Hospital Association (AHA) 50th Annual Meeting, taking place for April 7-10 in Washington, D.C. With approximately 1,500 attendees in attendance, it is a unique opportunity to network with peers from across the country. 

During the AHA Annual Meeting, MHA staff will schedule congressional office visits and prepare hospital members to discuss national health care trends and challenges and issues specific to Minnesota those visits during a special briefing. Participating in the AHA Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for MHA members to meet Minnesota’s five new representatives.  

To learn more and register, visit the AHA website. Once you have registered, inform Ben Peltier, vice president, legal and federal affairs, MHA, 651-603-3513, so he can add you to the MHA delegation list. Questions about the AHA Annual Meeting may also be directed to Ben. return to top   

Health Care Leadership Institute to feature generational diversity presentation

The MHA Health Care Leadership Institute will be held March 6-8 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. The conference will feature a generational diversity presentation from Phil Gwoke of BridgeWorks, Minneapolis.  

Gwoke’s presentation, “When Generations Connect,” will focus on the four distinct generations that are working together with a different set of attitudes, values and work styles. This session will provide the keys to retaining the generations you need most and discover how to convert this from an obstacle into an opportunity.  

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators has approved the content of this Institute for 11.25 clock hours.  

For more information or to register, download the conference brochure or visit MHA’s website. Hotel reservations can be made online. Please note the hotel room block expires on Wednesday, Feb. 13. return to top   

Nominate your hospital or program for a 2019 MHA Award

Nominations due Monday, March 11 Is your hospital a best Minnesota workplace? Do you have an innovative patient safety program or exemplary caregiver who deserves recognition? If so, consider submitting a nomination for MHA’s annual awards program. For more than 30 years, the MHA Awards have celebrated outstanding work by Minnesota hospitals and health systems and we want to honor you.

MHA award categories recognize excellence involving community health, best workplace, and patient care, for example. Honors for individuals recognize trustees, volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials. Additional information on the categories and judging criteria can be found on MHA’s website.   

Entries are due by end of day Monday, March 11; find the entry form online.   

MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception and dinner will take place Friday, May 31, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in suburban Minneapolis. All MHA members and associate members are invited and encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.   

For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, visual communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3494. return to top