Legislature Reconvenes After Break; Fewer Than 6 Weeks Left in Session
April 13, 2023
State lawmakers returned to St. Paul on April 11 with just under six weeks remaining in the legislative session. In that time, they will finalize their plans for the state’s $17.5 billion budget surplus.
MMA Creates Resource to Help Docs with Treating, Managing Opioid or Substance Use Disorders
April 13, 2023
With the signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023 last December and the subsequent removal of the DATA Waiver (or X-Waiver) requirement, physicians seeking an initial or a renewed DEA license are required to complete at least eight hours of training for the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.
MDH Launches New Marketing Campaign Aimed at Teens and Vaping
April 6, 2023
To combat the tobacco industry’s use of marketing tactics like celebrity endorsements and the use of flavors that appeal to youth, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has launched “Hey Norm,” a marketing campaign intended to engage teens about the issue of vaping.
Registration Open for April 11 Implicit Bias Training
April 6, 2023
Registration is open for the “Understanding and Mitigating Implicit Bias in Healthcare” workshop on April 11 from 6 to 8 pm.
MDH Hires New Head of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
April 6, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has hired Jessica Hancock-Allen as its new director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division (IDEPC). The division is the MDH unit chiefly responsible for monitoring infectious diseases and for developing strategies to prevent and control them to protect Minnesotans.
Legislature Home for Easter/Passover Break; Budget Work Begins
April 6, 2023
Legislators adjourned for the Easter/Passover Break on April 4, to return April 11 with six weeks to wrap up their business before the May 22 legislative adjournment date.
Verghese to Speak at MMA Conference on September 21
April 6, 2023
Bestselling author, champion of the patient-physician relationship, and a prominent voice in medicine, Abraham Verghese, MD, will be the keynote speaker at an MMA conference on September 21 in downtown Minneapolis.
Federal Judge Rules Against Some of the ACA’s Free Preventive Care Offerings
March 30, 2023
On March 30, a U.S. district judge in Texas ruled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement for insurers to cover preventive health services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is unconstitutional because members of that panel are not appointed by the president and approved by the Senate, violating the U.S. Constitution’s appointments clause.
Physician Unionizing Vote Results at Allina Mercy, Unity Delayed
March 30, 2023
Physician employees at Allina Mercy and Unity locations voted March 27-28 on whether to unionize with Doctors Council SEIU. At press time, the results of the election had not been called.
State Forms Guiding Council to Study Long COVID
March 30, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is partnering with Stratis Health and consultants from the former Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) to form a network of 20 primary care physicians and specialists who are treating long COVID patients from across the state.