2008 Legislative Wrap-Up
Despite facing a state budget deficit of $935 million, the Minnesota Medical Association had a very successful session. The MMA helped shape and enact legislation based on the vision for health care reform outlined in the MMA’s Physicians’ Plan for a Healthy Minnesota, stopped cuts in physician reimbursement for public programs, and blocked a drastic raid on the Health Care Access Fund.
With strong support from the MMA, public health proposals were enacted that provide grants for programs aimed at reducing obesity and tobacco use. And, the MMA worked to have problematic proposals removed from bills regarding the scope of practice of physical therapists and naturopaths. Much of the credit for our success this year is due to MMA physicians who developed relationships with legislators and became involved in the political process, as well as to the many MMA members who responded to MMA Action Alerts and called or wrote their legislators.
Passed
Historic health care reform. Includes public health initiatives, eligibility increases, and payment reforms related to chronic disease management, health care homes and quality of care. Click here for the full story.
Budget agreement. Includes a $50 million loan from the Health Care Access Fund and $18 million of new spending from the fund for other health care programs previously paid for from the general fund, and is significantly less than the nearly $400 million Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed taking out of the fund over three years. Click here for the full story.
Interpreter services. Establishes a voluntary interpreter roster and requires the development of a plan for an interpreter certification process. The measure does not address payment for interpreter services.
Teenaged drivers. Prohibits teens from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. other than for work or school functions during the first six months of having a driver’s license. Teens also cannot drive with more than one nonfamily member in the vehicle during that period. For the second six months, teens cannot drive with more than three nonfamily members in the vehicle.
Failed
Newborn screening. Clarified parental privacy rights regarding the screening of newborns for metabolic and genetic conditions. The measure passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The veto means that newborn screenings will continue as before, but it is unclear whether the state can continue to keep genetic samples for research purposes.
Seat belt use. Allowed police officers to stop and tickets motorists for not wearing a seatbelt.
Booster seats. Requireed use of booster seats in cars for children up to age nine.
Didn't find what you were looking for? The MMA's 2008 Legislative Report is a comprehensive account of the session.