Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

May 20, 2019

MHA Newsline: May 20, 2019

In this issue 

Leaders reach budget agreement

On the evening of May 19, with barely 24 hours remaining in the 2019 legislative session, Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders reached agreement on a $48 billion two-year state budget. The global agreement includes the provider tax at a reduced rate of 1.8% with no sunset as well as two more years of reinsurance. The leaders also agreed to remove controversial issues such as the ONECare insurance proposal and abortion-related proposals.   

The HHS Conference Committee has been given a very small $55 million spending target and is now tasked with working out the final budget details. MHA will continue to advocate for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), pediatric residential treatment beds and compliance with the federal outpatient drug rule. Conference committees have been asked to complete their work by 5 p.m. today with the intention to come back for a one-day special session on May 23 to pass conference committee reports.   

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   

Apply for appointment to broadband task force

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office published notice of 15 open seats to be filled on the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The task force is responsible for developing, implementing and promoting state broadband policy, planning and initiatives; inventorying, assessing and reporting on various aspects of broadband; and developing a Minnesota Broadband Plan outline. The governor is seeking to appoint representatives of urban and rural communities, consumers, education systems, health care and telecommunications companies.   

MHA has long supported state and federal efforts to expand access to broadband throughout Minnesota. MHA encourages member leaders who are interested in broadband issues to seek appointment and help convey the important health care needs and concerns associated with broadband policy.   

Information and links to apply for appointment can be found on the secretary of state’s websitereturn to top   

Participate in Assault Survivor Kits evaluation survey

Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul, in partnership with the Minnesota Hospital Association, provides Assault Survivor Kits free of charge to hospital emergency rooms and clinics throughout Minnesota. The goal of these kits is to comfort victims of sexual assault by providing needed toiletry and clothing items for distribution at hospital emergency rooms and clinics.   

To assess the effectiveness of these kits and the program, Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul is conducting a brief online survey. MHA members are asked to share this survey with staff who use the kits. The survey will be open until May 27. Survey responses will help determine the most important items to include in the kits.   

Assault Survivor Kits are free to all Minnesota hospitals and contain a t-shirt, sweatpants, socks, underwear, a sports bra and toiletries. To order Assault Survivor Kits for your hospital, please visit the MHA store or contact Sarah Bohnet, visual communications specialist/division assistant, MHA, 651-603-3494. return to top   

Next issue of Newsline will be published May 28

The next issue of Newsline will be published on May 28 due to the Memorial Day holiday. return to top