In this issue
State’s
budget surplus grows
A group of bipartisan legislators joined MHA to announce the
introduction of legislation to require all Minnesota insurance companies and
Minnesota public programs to cover telemedicine patient visits as they would an
in-person visit. The Minnesota Telemedicine Act, S.F. 981 is authored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R –
Fairmont) and the companion bill, H.F. 1246, is authored by Rep. Tara Mack (R –
Apple Valley).
The February forecast was released last week and shows an increase of $832
million more than November’s projected budget forecast. The budget outlook is
strong, but these projections depend on economic conditions that can change
over the next two years. The legislature will use this forecast to build the
budget for 2016-17.
Hearings of interest this
week
On Monday, March 2 at noon, the Senate Health and Human Services Policy
Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to create a health care program for low
income Minnesotans that are ineligible for Medical Assistance (S.F. 643 – Sen. Hayden – Minneapolis).
Tuesday, March 3 at 12:45 p.m., the House Health and Human Services Finance
Committee will hold a hearing on the February budget forecast, Health Care
Access Fund and MNCare (the Basic Health Plan.) At 2:45 p.m., the House Health
and Human Services Reform Committee will hold a hearing on legislation to add
mental health and independent clinical social workers to the health
professional loan forgiveness program.
On Wednesday, March 4 at 12:45 p.m., the House Health and Human Services
Finance Committee will hold a hearing on various bills related to EMS,
nonemergency medical transportation, community medical response, emergency
medical technicians and rural special transportation services.
Thursday, March 5 at 12:45 p.m., the House Health and Human Services Finance
Committee will hold a hearing on providing additional funding to the poison
information center (H.F. 346 – Rep. Hoppe – Chaska.)
For a complete list of 2015 legislative bills MHA is tracking, visit the Member Center. For assistance accessing the
Member Center, contact Ashley Gauster, MHA member services and
communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top
MHA
submitting proposal for HEN 2.0
Program would help
further improve patient safety in Minnesota
Significant progress in strengthening hospital patient safety
has been made as a result of the three-year Partnership for Patients Hospital
Engagement Network contract, which ended in December 2014. MHA is pleased that
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a Hospital
Engagement Network (HEN) 2.0 request for proposal. As a high performing HEN and
one of only six to receive a Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics (LEAPT)
contract, MHA is submitting a proposal for HEN 2.0. This contract will bring
MHA additional resources to continue to support members with implementing
effective strategies to improve patient safety and quality, including measuring
and improving outcomes for patients.
The Partnership for Patients program achieved significant results, both locally
and nationally. In Minnesota there was a 37 percent reduction in harm across
the board, and more 13,000 patients were prevented from being harmed, resulting
in over $93 million in cost savings. Nationally, there was a 17 percent
reduction in harm, and 1.3 million patients were prevented from being harmed,
saving $12 billion.
MHA looks forward to continuing to work with Minnesota’s hospitals to further
improve safety in the state. MHA’s support will include benchmark data reports,
education, continued learning networks for Safe Care, Patient and Family
Engagement, and topic specific learning networks with educational
webinars/conference calls/office hours, listserv, and tool kits. Learning
networks also include virtual or in person education opportunities,
staff/expert consultations to review progress and identify areas for improvement,
routine communication and updates. MHA will submit its proposal to CMS by March
30 and will send members more information about signing up for the MHA HEN 2.0
in April. return to top
Employer
applications being accepted for the Summer Health Care Internship Program
Deadline to apply
is Friday, April 17
Employer applications are being accepted for the 2015 Summer
Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities
and home care providers are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified
students in their community.
The internship program benefits students by allowing them to explore health
care careers and gain experience in a health care setting. The initiative is
also a great opportunity for health care employers to become more involved in
their communities.
Up to half of an intern’s wages are reimbursed through a grant from the
Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health & Primary Care. The
grant is administered by MHA. The employer application form is available on the
MHA website. The application deadline is Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.
For more information on the Summer Health Care Internship Program, visit the MHA website or contact Sarah Bohnet, Summer Health Care Internship Program coordinator,
651-603-3494. return to top
AHA
Survey sent to hospitals
MHA is coordinating the collection of the American Hospital
Association survey of services, staffing, finances and EHR
implementation. The cover letter, survey, walkthrough and login/password
were emailed to CEOs on Feb. 27. We ask for your hospital’s assistance in
completing the survey. The AHA Directory of Hospitals is useful for identifying
trends and the information is used for analysis in a variety of ways at the
national level. Please enter your survey information online at www.ahasurvey.org. If you need your login and
password, email Jenny Sanislo, MHA division
assistant. The due date is March 31. return to top
Free
sustainability forum scheduled for March 5
HEARRT will be hosting a free forum on Thursday,
March 5 from 9-noon at Hennepin County Medical Center. The forum addresses
empowering employees to create a culture of environmental sustainability in healthcare
organizations. Featured presenters are Elise L. Amel, Ph.D., Professor of
Psychology, Director of Environmental Studies, University of St. Thomas
and Milt Thomas, Employee Engagement Specialist, MN Pollution Control Agency.
This forum offers an excellent opportunity to learn how your organization can
foster a culture of sustainability.
HEARRT is a coalition of hospitals and health systems, MHA, the MN Technical
Assistance Program, and Zimmer Environmental Improvement. HEARRT connects
health care professionals to encourage and support sustainability actions that
improve environmental and community health and reduce costs.
For more information and to register go to http://www.hearrtmidwest.org/. return to top