Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

June 16, 2014

MHA Newsline: June 16, 2014

In this issue

Hospital spotlight: Michael Mahoney recognized for advocacy on behalf of hospitals

Minnesota hospitals were once again represented with a unified voice during the 2014 legislative session. Having a strong hospital presence at the state legislature and before Congress is deeply dependent on strong participation and advocacy by members. That is what earned Michael Mahoney, vice president of public policy at Essentia Health, the MHA Spirit of Advocacy Award. Michael is deeply dedicated to his work promoting health care issues and ensures that Essentia has a strong voice at both the state and our nation's Capitol. He is an outspoken advocate for rural health care in particular — supporting funding for small community hospitals and for training the next generation of health care professionals. Mike demonstrates his commitment to MHA by actively participating in committees including Policy and Advocacy, Small Rural, Finance, Nurse Staffing, In-House Legal Committee, and the Minnesota Hospital Political Action Committee Board. He brings a wealth of experience and has put forth considerable effort to help shape a health care system in Minnesota that will provide high quality care long into the future. Read more about the Spirit of Advocacy Award and the other 2014 award winners here. return to top  

MN uninsured rate at all-time low

Minnesota’s uninsured rate has fallen to 4.9 percent of the population, according to a new report from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). This is the lowest uninsured rate Minnesota has ever recorded. The rate was previously 8.2 percent of the population. This change represents a 40 percent drop in the number of people without health insurance in Minnesota. The drop in the uninsured rate was measured from Sept. 30, 2013 to May 1, 2014, or the same time as the MNsure open enrollment period. The report is available here.  

In coming months, MHA will review and analyze data to determine the extent of the additional covered population on hospitals and health systems. return to top  

DHS launches hospital presumptive eligibility website, will include addendum and training

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched its hospital presumptive eligibility (HPE) website. This website provides information about the program and will have the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) contract addendum for hospitals wishing to participate in HPE as well as training for staff to become certified to make HPE determinations.  

Two important updates have also been announced. The MHCP contract addendum is expected to be posted online Monday, June 16. Training for staff to become certified to make HPE determinations is expected to begin by Thursday, June 19. DHS hopes hospital staff will be able to register online beginning June 16 to ensure their place for training.  

Hospital presumptive eligibility implementation will begin Tuesday, July 1.  

For more information contact Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst, 651-659-1405 or Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of regulatory and strategic affairs, 651-659-1421. return to top  

Member news: Essentia Health CEO Peter Person to retire

Essentia Health CEO Peter Person, MD, MBA, announced plans to retire in 2015. Dr. Person has experienced 33 years in medicine, 20 of them in executive leadership roles. Dr. Person has served as Essentia Health’s CEO since its inception in 2004. Under his leadership, Essentia Health has grown into a fully integrated health system that reaches from northwestern Wisconsin to Idaho. Its 12,500 physicians and employees serve more than 400,000 patients annually in 66 clinics and 18 hospitals, many of them in underserved rural areas.  

“Essentia Health exists today because of Peter’s vision and leadership,” says Richard Blair, Essentia Health board chairman. “You really can’t overstate the role Peter played in building this health system. The average tenure of a CEO is about four and a half years. Peter’s tenure has been 20 years. That’s a real testament to the value he has brought to this organization.”  

Essentia Health’s Board of Directors will begin a national search for Dr. Person’s replacement. The search, which is expected to take several months, will focus on finding a physician with extensive administrative leadership experience. return to top  

MHA Partnership for Patients seeks proposals to help spread patient and family centered care statewide

The MHA Partnership for Patients has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to help advance the work of hospitals to further engage patients and families and to create a culture of patient and family centered care across Minnesota. Over the years, many best practices, tools and resources have been developed to foster patient and family engagement. MHA aims to find innovative ways to expand the use of these established patient and family engagement processes in hospitals across Minnesota to help hospitals steadily increase their engagement of patients and families in a purposeful way that centers on the patient.   

To learn more or to receive a copy of the RFP, contact Karen Olson, MHA patient safety and quality coordinator, 651-603-3521. A letter of intent must be submitted by Monday, June 30 and proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15. return to top