MINNEAPOLIS, June 4, 2008—Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed legislation to mandate the use of electronic prescription technology and require implemented electronic health records systems to be certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT).

MINNEAPOLIS, May 19, 2008 — The 2008 Legislative Session ended with the passage of historic health care reform supported by the MMA.

A look at some of the highlights of the 2008 Legislative Session.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 8, 2008 - The MMA is urging lawmakers to pass a bill expected to be up for a vote Thursday that would protect a newborn screening program that saves infants every year from terrible diseases and death.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 21, 2008 — Not as bad as it would have been without physicians speaking up. Lawmakers ended the 2008 Legislative Session with a budget deal that included a $50 million loan from the Health Care Access Fund and another $18 million of spending that previously came from the general fund.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 14, 2008—Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a health care reform bill Tuesday that was supported by the MMA and was the product of many months of debate and compromise.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 15, 2008 – A bill to protect a newborn screening program passed the House and Senate Thursday.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 9, 2008 - The MMA is not supporting a bill that was introduced and heard in the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday that would call for a constitutional amendment to dedicate the proceeds of the provider tax to the MinnesotaCare program and to increasing access to care in underserved communities.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 13, 2008—The MMA urged the governor to sign the conference committee bill approved by both the House and Senate last night.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 8, 2008—The Minnesota House has passed a bill saying that the University of Minnesota can use state taxpayer funds for embryonic stem cell research.