POLST Bill to Get Hearing in House on March 18
March 17, 2022
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee is expected to hear a bill on March 18 that would create an advisory group to study and recommend how to initiate a statewide registry for Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms. This is one of the MMA’s top legislative priorities for the session.
March 23 Forum to Examine Firearm Death and Injury Prevention
March 17, 2022
Firearm death and injury prevention will be the topic of the MMA’s next noon-time forum on March 23 from noon to 1 p.m.
Physicians Could See 2023 Medicare Rate Freeze
March 17, 2022
On March 15, the AMA sent a letter to Congressional leadership disputing a recommendation (p. 149) by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to freeze Medicare physician payment rates for 2023.
Congress Extends Medicare Coverage for Telehealth Services
March 17, 2022
The U.S. Congress has agreed to extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services for at least five months after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. President Biden signed this into law on March 15.
Lawmakers Begin Deliberating Over State’s $9.25 Billion Surplus
March 10, 2022
On February 28, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced another record-breaking economic surplus for the state.
MMA Amends Policy to Provide Exceptions to a Patient’s Ability to Access Clinical Notes
March 10, 2022
At its March 7 meeting, the MMA Board of Trustees amended existing MMA policy that supports a patient’s ability to access their clinical notes.
Board Updates MMA’s Position on Public Option Support
March 10, 2022
The MMA Board of Trustees adopted a new policy at its March 7 meeting that defines requirements for the MMA to lend its support to any state-level public option proposals for Minnesota. The policy was submitted via The Pulse by the MMA Policy Council.
Reinsurance Bill Passes Through House Committee
March 10, 2022
A bill that would extend the state’s reinsurance program through 2023 passed through the House Health Finance and Policy Committee this week.
Bill That Modifies BMP’s Authority Debated in House Committee
March 10, 2022
On March 8, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee passed HF3631 (Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, -DFL, Deephaven), a bill offering modifications to the state’s medical practice act.
MMA Supports Bill Prohibiting Race, Ethnicity in Organ Transplant Decisions
March 10, 2022
The MMA submitted a letter of support for HF3972 (Rep. Ruth Richardson-DFL, Mendota Heights), a bill that would prohibit race or ethnicity from being used as factors for organ transplant decisions. The bill passed the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee unanimously on March 10, and was referred to the House floor.