Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

December 15, 2014

MHA Newsline: Dec. 15, 2014

In this issue 

U.S. House passes a funding bill that includes funding for hospitals’ Ebola preparedness efforts

A more than $1 trillion dollar spending bill that includes $5.4 billion in emergency funding to combat Ebola internationally and domestically is on its way to President Obama’s desk. $576 million would go toward hospital preparedness. 

MHA contacted the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to express our support and appreciation for the Ebola preparedness funding and asked our delegation to consider reaching out to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the appropriate funding is expeditiously distributed directly to hospitals due to the significant costs they have already incurred and can expect in an ongoing effort to maintain preparedness. 

The Ebola preparedness portion of the funding bill includes: 

  • $576 million through Sept. 30, 2019, for the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. At the discretion of HHS, these funds could be used for the renovation and alteration of privately-owned facilities to improve preparedness and response capability. In addition, these funds could be used for the reimbursement of domestic transportation and treatment costs (other than costs paid or reimbursed by the individual’s health coverage) for a person treated for Ebola in the U.S., before or after the bill is enacted. 
  • Funding to HHS to implement a regional strategy for designating treatment centers. MHA and other health policy insiders speculate that HHS will use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) list of 35 U.S. hospitals designated as Ebola treatment centers as a starting point. Minnesota’s four designated hospitals are on this list. 
  • $1.77 billion to the CDC through Sept. 30, 2019, for the transportation, medical care, treatment and other related costs of persons quarantined or isolated under federal of state quarantine law. 
  • $10 million for worker-based training to prevent and reduce exposure of hospital employees, emergency first responders and other workers who are at risk of exposure to Ebola. 

For questions please contact Ann Gibson, MHA vice president, federal relations and workforce, 651-603-3527. return to top 

APRNs must act now to be licensed by Jan. 1

As MHA previously reported, Minnesota state law now requires a separate license for Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). All Minnesota APRNs must be licensed by Jan. 1, 2015.       

The Minnesota Board of Nursing reports a very heavy work load and is urging all APRNs to complete their applications and submit payment to the Board immediately to allow the Board time to process and to be in compliance with the law. The four roles impacted by this law are Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS); Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM); and Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP).    

To become licensed, APRNs are required to hold a current Registered Nurse license and submit documentation of successful completion of an acceptable graduate APRN program and current certification as an APRN in a role and population focus.    

In addition to requiring APRN licensure, the law removes the requirement for a collaborative management plan and written prescribing agreement for APRNs. CNS and CNPs will be required to practice for 2,080 hours within the context of a collaborative agreement with a licensed CNS, CNP or physician who has experience in providing care to patients with similar medical problems.    

The Minnesota Board of Nursing is posting a list of APRN licensure that is complete. This will help nurses verify when the process is complete.   

More information can be found, including frequently asked questions, on the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s website. return to top   

Winter Trustee Conference will help trustees develop and execute strategies for success

Nate Kaufman, managing director and founder of San Diego, California based health care consulting firm Kaufman Strategic Advisors, LLC will help board members develop and execute strategies for success at the Winter Trustee Conference, Jan. 9-11 at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest in Brooklyn Park. 

“Succeeding in the New Environment” will provide participants with a likely scenario of what the health care system will look like in 2020 and the critical strategies and competencies necessary for succeeding in the new environment. His second presentation, “Executing Your Plan in the New Environment,” Kaufman will describe how best to execute the strategies and competencies discussed in his earlier presentation to ensure success.

Click here for more information.   

Accommodations 
The deadline for accommodations at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest is Dec. 19. Rooms tend to sell-out for the conference, so make your reservations right away to ensure your spot. You can book your room online here

Program update
The descriptions for session #4 and #12 were inadvertently reversed in the printed version of the brochure. That has been corrected in the online version available here. return to top 

NAMI-Minnesota collecting gifts for the holidays

The St. Paul office of NAMI-Minnesota is collecting gifts for children, adolescents and adults who will be hospitalized in metro psychiatric units over the holidays. Gifts will be accepted through Dec. 19 and delivered on Dec. 22. Please drop off gifts at NAMI’s office, located at 800 Transfer Road, Ste. 31 in St. Paul. For more information, including gift ideas, visit the NAMI website. return to top