January 19, 2023
Legislation (HF 16 - Hollins, DFL – St. Paul), that would prohibit the use of conversion therapy for individuals under the age of 18 received its first committee hearing in the Minnesota House of Representatives on January 18.
Similar legislation has passed the House in previous sessions. However, the bill never received a hearing in the Senate during that time, and therefore never became law in Minnesota. With current DFL control of the Minnesota House and Senate, the bill is likely to be heard in both bodies, and is on route to passing this year.
“Conversion therapy can lead to poor self-esteem, self-harm, guilt, anxiety, depression, and possibly suicide, all while being wholly ineffective in its intended purpose,” stated MMA President Will Nicholson, MD, in the MMA’s letter of support for HF 16. “There is no scientific evidence to support a need for conversion therapy. The concept of conversion therapy lacks scientific credibility and clinical usefulness.”
Several specialty medical societies, including the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Pediatricians, and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also shared letters of support for HF 16.
On a 7-5 party line vote, HF 16 was referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee.
April 18, 2024
Social media star Dr. Glaucomflecken (aka William E. Flanary, MD) will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Empowering Physicians Conference on Friday, September 27 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
April 18, 2024
The MMA’s chief legislative priority relating to prior authorization reform has been included in the House Health omnibus bill, which was released on April 17.
April 18, 2024
On April 8, the House Commerce Committee held an informational hearing on legislation that would prohibit private equity companies and real estate investment trusts from acquiring or increasing control over providers of healthcare services.