In
this issue
Sanford
Health fitness programs keep generations of community members healthy, mobile
Two programs sponsored by Sanford Health in rural southwestern Minnesota
enhance the fitness and health of community members across generations.
In Tracy and Westbrook, physical health and mental health are often two top
concerns identified during community health needs assessments – not just for
adults, but for children as well. Sanford Tracy Medical Center and Sanford
Westbrook Medical Center used Sanfordfit,
a health activation program, to address this concern. Starting in January 2017,
Sanford Tracy and Sanford Westbrook completed a 19-week Sanfordfit program with
fourth-grade classes at Tracy Area Elementary School and Westbrook Walnut Grove
Elementary School. In 2017, the Sanfordfit
program taught 74 fourth-grade students about the importance of a healthy
lifestyle. In 2018, the program reached 64 fourth-graders.
The community of Canby identified a problem of older individuals experiencing
falls. Sanford Canby Medical Center addressed the issue by
launching Steady Steps, a class featuring general fitness and mobility,
balance training, fall prevention and how to fall. Led by a physical therapist,
the class was geared toward those with a fear of falling, those who had fallen
in the past and those who wanted to be proactive in their health and wellness.
A group of 12 active participants ranged in age from 68 to 90, with an average
age of 80.
Both Sanfordfit
and Steady Steps received positive feedback from participants and improved
health and fitness in their communities.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
Health
care legislation advances
Governor’s health care proposal receives first hearing
Gov. Walz’s ONEcare health care proposal received its first hearing in the House
Health and Human Services Policy Committee on March 6. HF 3, authored by Rep.
Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) would phase in measures aimed at stabilizing the
individual insurance market over the next four years, including a premium
subsidy, a state-based tax credit available to those whose income is less than
or equal to 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and a public buy-in
option. These expenditures are in lieu of continuing the reinsurance program.
The bill passed the HHS committee and will be heard in the House Commerce
Committee on March 13.
Physician noncompete
legislation update
Legislation prohibiting physician noncompete contracts and certain employment
agreements was heard in House Health and Human Services Committee on March 8.
Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, testified in
opposition to HF 557, authored by Rep. Alice Mann (DFL-Lakeville), which would
eliminate a key tool used in the recruitment and retention of physicians in
Minnesota. The bill was passed and is scheduled to be heard in the House Labor
Committee on March 13.
MHRA reform gets Senate
hearing
Legislation to amend the Minnesota Health Records Act (MHRA) to align with
federal laws to allow for the clinically appropriate release of health information
for purposes of treatment, payment and health care operations is scheduled to
be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee
on March 14. SF 1575, authored by Sen. Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), is one of
MHA’s top legislative priorities for 2019.
MHA supports this legislation because today’s misaligned dual regulatory
framework makes it more difficult for providers to access the information they
need to deliver the safest, timeliest and most effective care for patients. In
addition, it creates confusion and frustration for patients and their families,
adds unnecessary costs to Minnesota’s health care system and burdens health
care providers with administrative work.
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
DHS
releases new opioid prescribing education resources
A new provider education campaign developed by the Minnesota
Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with the medical community
aims to change the narrative around prescription opioid therapy, pain
management and prescription opioid misuse in Minnesota. The goal of the
campaign is to support Minnesota prescribers in preventing new cases of
inappropriate opioid use while continuing to provide appropriate pain
management for patients.
The Flip the Script campaign offers resources for health care professionals,
including:
- Conversation starters and other
tips for discussing alternatives to opioids for pain management, with an emphasis
on preventing the progression from opioid use for acute pain to long-term
opioid use for chronic
pain (as defined in the Minnesota Opioid Prescribing Guidelines),
and improving patient safety for those patients who continue opioid
therapy.
- A video testimonial from Dr. Paul
Kietzmann, family practitioner, Alomere Health, Alexandria.
- A podcast about the
Minnesota Opioid Prescribing Guidelines developed in partnership with the
University of Minnesota. The online learning activity offers physicians,
pharmacists and nurses an opportunity to earn continuing education credits
for learning more about the guidelines on safe opioid prescribing
behavior. Additional continuing education credits will soon be available
from a three-part webinar series created in partnership with the Minnesota
Medical Association.
Hospitals and health systems are partnering with patients,
families and communities to prevent misuse by improving opioid prescribing
practices, to reduce exposure to opioids by using alternative therapies and to
treat opioid use disorder with evidence-based therapy. Visit the MHA website for resources including MHA’s
opioid road map and toolkit. return to top
Staffer
for Sen. Smith presents to MHA Small, Rural Hospital Committee
Lindsay McLaughlin,
outreach director for health care and aging for U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, on March
6 addressed the MHA Small, Rural Hospital Committee. McLaughlin outlined
Smith’s health care priorities, including addressing rising prescription drug
costs and improving access to mental health care services. She also shared that
as co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, Smith is focused on ways
Congress can help support rural hospitals and providers to improve obstetric
services and outcomes for women living in rural areas. return to top
MHA
annual CEO, CFO, CNE salary surveys due March 22
The deadline to submit this year’s chief executive officer,
chief financial officer and chief nurse executive online compensation surveys
is March 22.
The survey results will highlight salary averages by budget size, years in
health care, geographical region and years in current positions. The broader
the survey participation, the more representative the results. Participants
will receive summary reports.
Members eligible to participate in the confidential surveys were emailed access
information on Feb. 21. With questions regarding the surveys, contact Nick Johnston, financial analyst, MHA, 651-603-3536, or Jennifer Sanislo, division assistant, MHA, 651-659-1440. return to top
Hospital
Safety Net Grant Program applications due April 19
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Office
of Rural Health and Primary Care is soliciting proposals for Hospital Safety
Net Grants to hospitals that serve Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) enrollees.
Approximately $1,315,000 may be available. Eligible applicants include licensed
hospitals that provided care to EMA enrollees resulting in individual claims in
excess of $50,000, between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019.
Final applications must be received by MDH no later than 12 p.m. on April 19.
Applications postmarked prior to the due date but not received by MDH prior to
the deadline will be considered late. Late applications will not be considered
for review.
View the full RFP on the MDH website. With questions, contact Randi Callahan, MDH, 651-201-3860. return to top