Prior Auth Bill Receives Bipartisan Support in Senate Committee, House Bill Faces Upcoming Deadline

March 14, 2024

MMA’s top legislative priority, SF 3532 (Morrison, DFL – Deephaven) received strong bipartisan support in a hearing on March 13 before it was laid over for future inclusion in a committee omnibus bill. 

Harm Reduction Legislation Moving in Both House and Senate

March 14, 2024

Legislation to require sober homes to allow the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and increase access to opioid antagonists received a hearing in the House Human Services Policy Committee on March 11.  

Public Option Bill Heard in Senate Committee

March 14, 2024

A bill that would expand eligibility for MinnesotaCare, allowing anyone to buy into the program as part of a public option on MNsure starting January 1, 2027, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 14.  

Congress Halves 2024 Medicare Payment Cut to Physicians; MMA, AMA Unsatisfied and Pushing Reform

March 14, 2024

On March 8, Congress halved the 2024 Medicare cut to physician payments, from 3.37% to 1.68%, as part of a larger spending package. The change took effect on March 9 and continues through the calendar year, but it does not apply retroactively.  

Change Healthcare Cyberattack Assistance Available

March 14, 2024

Physician practices continue to struggle and identify workarounds after the late February Change Healthcare cyberattack.  

CMS Extends MIPS Deadline to April 15

March 14, 2024

Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who participated in the 2023 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) now have until April 15 at 7 pm Central to submit their data, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on March 12. 

April 11 Online Forum to Focus on Dealing with Grief

March 14, 2024

The MMA will host its next online physician forum on Thursday, April 11 from noon to 1 pm. The title is: “Healing the Wounds of Yesterday, Dealing with Ambiguous Grief” and will be led by Corey Martin, MD.  

Prior Auth Legislation Continues to Move at Capitol

March 7, 2024

The MMA’s top legislative priority of limiting the use of prior authorization continues to move at the Capitol, with its first senate committee hearing taking place on March 5.

Physician Wellness Legislation Passes Through Senate Committee

March 7, 2024

An MMA priority bill to improve physician wellness received its first committee hearing on March 7. SF3531 (Morrison, DFL – Deephaven) was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee where it received overwhelming support and passed with a unanimous vote.

MMA Supports Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

March 7, 2024

An MMA-supported bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products was heard in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 5.

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