In
this issue
HealthEast,
part of Fairview Health Services, matches clinical care with cultural values
When the Karen people were forced to flee their homes in Burma, a large
population began to resettle in Minnesota. Like the experience of so many
refugees, a difficult transition was ahead. While adjusting to a new culture
and managing the emotional and physical trauma of war, many new Americans are
at a higher risk for mental health and chemical dependency issues.
Providers at HealthEast, part of Fairview Health Services, serve the largest
Karen population in the Twin Cities. They recognized that American treatment
programs were being lost in translation and decided to do something about it.
“Karen patients came to me looking for help to find a treatment program,” said
Dr. Shana Sniffen, HealthEast Clinics – Roselawn. “Yet, the substance use treatment
system wasn’t working for them, so we had to fix the system.”
So, in 2013, Dr. Sniffen and Karen community leaders founded the Karen Chemical
Dependency Collaboration (KCDC). The community-driven collaboration includes
Karen community members, interpreters, faith leaders, law enforcement and
corrections officers, and health care professionals.
The goal of KCDC is to address issues related to mental health and substance
use in culturally appropriate ways. The collaboration seeks to provide resources
to the community and empower members to respond to these issues while adapting
to U.S. systems, as well as helping U.S. systems adapt to working better with
various cultural communities.
Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Report. return to top
First
committee deadline passes; MHA comments on ONECare proposal
First committee deadline passes
March 15 marked the end of marathon committee hearings in advance of a midnight
deadline for House and Senate policy committees to take action on bills in
their jurisdiction. If no action was taken on a bill, it is unlikely it will
move forward this session. The second committee deadline is March 29. Over the
next two weeks, committees must act favorably on bills or companions of
bills that met the first deadline in the other body.
MHA submits comments on
ONECare proposal
MHA is closely following proposed changes to Minnesota’s individual insurance
market. HF 3, authored by authored by Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester), is
Gov. Walz’s ONECare proposal that 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. MHA submitted a comment letter posing questions about how the
proposal would be implemented and highlighting the importance of taking time to
analyze and evaluate the impact this proposal would have on health care in
Minnesota.
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
Legislation
extending federal support for CCBHCs announced
U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and U.S.
Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) announced they will
reintroduce the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion
Act. The legislation would provide the eight states participating in the
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, including
Minnesota, an additional two years of funding. It would also expand the number
of states eligible to participate in the demonstration from eight to 19.
Federal funding for Minnesota’s CCBHCs, which are required to provide a
comprehensive set of mental health and substance use disorder services, is set
to expire on June 30. Securing sustainable funding for the CCBHCs is a priority
of MHA. MHA will urge Minnesota’s delegation to support this legislation. return to top
MHA
annual CEO, CFO and 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