In
this issue
Gillette
Children’s Specialty Healthcare prevents brain injury, pediatric trauma
through community education
When children or adolescents experience traumatic injuries, the results
can be far-reaching and lifelong. Recognizing that many childhood
injuries are preventable, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
participates in community activities throughout the year that raise
awareness about proactive measures parents can take to keep their
children safe.
Gillette has a long history of providing education and community
outreach around pediatric trauma. The hospital sees children with all
types and severities of brain injuries, from minor neurotrauma
(concussion) to severe brain trauma. Care team members are passionate
about communicating the importance of prevention in thoughtful and
structured ways that effectively reach – and resonate with – children,
adolescents and their parents.
For example, technicians in Gillette’s Assistive Technology Department
developed and fabricated a device that visually represents the
importance of wearing a helmet when biking and during other potentially
high-impact activities. The device is a palm-sized replica of a bike or
ski helmet with space for an egg secured inside. Dropping the egg, sans
helmet, represents the human brain without protection. Dropping the egg
while secured inside the helmet protects it from cracking. The Egg
Helmets are used to engage with members of the community during safety
expos and public events.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the
full Community Benefit Report. return to top
Legislation
on earned sick and safe time, reinsurance advances; Gov. Walz to
release budget Feb. 19
Earned sick and safe time legislation
advances
On Feb. 13, legislation that would require employers to provide paid
sick and safe time to their employees was heard in the House Labor
Committee. HF 11, authored by Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), is
modeled after similar ordinances recently passed in Minneapolis, St.
Paul and Duluth and would require employees to earn, at a minimum, one
hour of paid, earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up
to 48 hours per year.
Accrual would begin when a qualified employee begins employment, but an
employee may not begin using sick and safe time until they have worked
for the employer for 90 days. The safe time refers to time off for an
employee to address situations “related to domestic abuse, sexual
assault, or stalking of the employee.”
The bill passed 10-4 and was referred to the House Government
Operations Committee.
Reinsurance program
extension gets first hearings in Senate, House
On Feb. 12, legislation extending Minnesota’s Statewide Premium
Security (Reinsurance) Program received hearings in Senate and House
committees. As introduced, SF 761, authored by Sen. Gary Dahms
(R-Redwood Falls), and HF 629, authored by Rep. Laurie Halverson
(DFL-Eagan), would extend the program for three years.
MHA submitted a comment letter supporting a one-year
reauthorization of the reinsurance program to ensure short-term market
stability. The letter states MHA’s concerns about the impact to the
Health Care Access Fund, particularly if the provider tax or other funding
is not ongoing.
SF 761 was passed out of committee and will be heard in the Senate
Finance Committee on Feb. 20. HF 629 also passed out of committee and
was referred to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee;
a hearing has not been scheduled.
Gov. Walz to release
his budget
Feb. 19
Gov. Tim Walz will release his first statewide budget proposal for the
2020-21 biennium on Feb. 19 at noon. This will be the first concrete
look at where the governor’s budget priorities are for the state and
how his budget measures up against the House and Senate priorities, as
well as the upcoming February economic forecast. MHA will carefully
review the budget and share more information in next week’s Newsline.
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
HHS
announces new Medicare payment model for ambulance services
The Department of Health and Human
Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation on Feb. 14 announced a new
payment model for emergency ambulance services that aims to allow
Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to receive the most appropriate
level of care at the right time and place with the potential for lower
out-of-pocket costs.
According to HHS, the Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) model will allow participating ambulance
suppliers and providers to partner with qualified health care
practitioners to deliver treatment in place (either on-the-scene or
through telehealth) and with alternative destination sites (such as
primary care doctors’ offices or urgent-care clinics) to provide care
for Medicare beneficiaries following a medical emergency for which they
have accessed 911 services. The model also will encourage development
of medical triage lines for low-acuity 911 calls in regions where
participating ambulance suppliers and providers operate.
The model will have a five-year performance period, with an anticipated
start date in early 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services expects to release a request for applications from
Medicare-enrolled ambulance suppliers and providers this summer, and a
funding opportunity notice for the triage lines for low-acuity 911
calls this fall. return to top