Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

April 01, 2019

MHA Newsline: April 1, 2019

In this issue 

House and Senate release budget targets; provider tax sunset repeal legislation gets hearing

House and Senate release budget targets
Gov. Walz, the House DFL majority and the Senate Republican majority have now each unveiled their budget targets for the 2020-21 biennium, which starts July 1. This is a key step in the legislative process as they try to reach agreement on Minnesota’s state budget by the legislative session adjournment on May 20.   

While the announced targets for health and human services are remarkably close, the Senate’s budget does not include any continuation of the provider tax, which is only in place for the first six months of the biennium. The Senate must fill a projected budget gap that could range from the $800 million currently used to help fund the Medical Assistance program to the full $992 million that the provider tax is anticipated to raise for the last 18 months of the biennium.   

Senate Republicans most likely used at least some portion of the state’s budget surplus for proposed health and human services spending in combination with dollars from the Health Care Access Fund, making spending reductions and proposing other cost-saving measures. MHA is awaiting details of both the House and Senate budget proposals.   

Provider tax sunset repeal legislation gets hearing
Legislation repealing the sunset date on the MinnesotaCare provider tax was heard in the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee on March 29. HF 2459, authored by Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Minneapolis), strikes the sunset date of Dec. 31, thus keeping the provider tax in place.   

MHA supports the elimination of the sunset, given that the provider tax is a dedicated, sustainable funding source for insurance coverage for low-income, working families. Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, testified in support of the legislation. She said that over the past two decades, hospitals have come to appreciate the many good things that have been accomplished because of having the provider tax in place – most importantly, supporting health care coverage for individuals in both the MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance programs. The legislation was laid over for possible inclusion in the House’s health and human services omnibus budget 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. return to top   

Final reminder: Complete MHA annual CEO, CFO and CNE salary surveys by April 5

The deadline to submit this year’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief nurse executive online compensation surveys has been extended to April 5.   

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 helipad spring clean-up guidelines

With the snow melt associated with spring, a season’s worth of potentially dangerous foreign object debris (FOD) will emerge on and around hospital helipads. FOD is any substance, debris or article that would potentially cause damage. Cleaning up is imperative to prevent damage to aircraft, injury to persons or potential loss of life.   

FOD includes loose hardware, tools, parts, pavement fragments, catering supplies, building materials, rocks, sand, pens, coins, badges, hats, soda cans, paper clips, rags, trash, paperwork and even wildlife. Anything that can find its way into an aircraft engine or flight control mechanisms is a recipe for damage. Removing these items from helipads helps enhance safety.   With questions, please contact [email protected]return to top