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.
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.
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.
March 30, 2023
On March 27, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee released its omnibus bill, which contains several MMA priorities, including a two-year extension for audio-only telehealth coverage, Medical Assistance coverage for recuperative care services, and the creation of a statewide database for provider orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) forms.
March 23, 2023
An MMA priority bill to offer Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for recuperative care services for Minnesotans experiencing homelessness who need a place to recover following a hospitalization was heard this week by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
March 23, 2023
Two firearm safety bills were passed by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on March 23.
March 23, 2023
A bill that offers legal protection to patients who travel to Minnesota for an abortion and for the healthcare providers who treat them, passed the Minnesota House of Representatives, 68-62, on March 20.
March 23, 2023
After a three-year pause during the COVID-19 public health emergency, Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare will resume annual eligibility reviews of their enrollees (i.e., renewals). Renewals will begin as early as July for MA enrollees and October for MinnesotaCare enrollees.
March 23, 2023
The next MMA online Physician Forum will discuss “Diversity in Clinical Trials” from 1 to 2 pm on Wednesday, March 29.
March 16, 2023
On March 14, the AMA sent a letter to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), expressing its support for S. 665, the “Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act,” legislation that would help address the shortage of physicians (notably in rural and underserved areas) and would play a role in promoting a more diverse physician workforce.
