News

New FAQ Now Available on MMA’s Decriminalization of Simple Possession of Illicit Drugs Policy

January 26, 2023

X-Waiver No Longer Required to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

January 26, 2023

With the signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (the Act) on December 29, Congress eliminated the “DATA-Waiver Program,” also known as the “X-Waiver.” This means that an X-waiver is no longer required to treat patients with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. 

Walz Budget Focuses on Education, Children and Families

January 26, 2023

Gov. Tim Walz released his 2023-24 state budget proposal this week, detailing his recommendations on how to use the state’s $17.6 billion surplus. In total, the plan would raise the state general fund, two-year budget to $65.2 billion – the largest in Minnesota’s history. The focus of Walz’s proposal is dedicated to increased spending in education, children, and families. 

Speakers Selected for Project ECHO Transition Summit

January 19, 2023

Local and national speakers will cover a variety of important topics on the transition of youth with medical complexity into adult care. The day-long summit will take place on Monday, March 13, at 317 on Rice Park in St. Paul. You can attend either in-person or virtually.

Contraception Bill Heard in House Committee

January 19, 2023

Legislation that would require Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare to reimburse for the provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) upon request immediately following a delivery had its first hearing in the Minnesota House of Representatives this week.

MMA Supports Legislation that Bans Conversion Therapy

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.

U of M, CentraCare Discuss New Medical School to Focus on Rural Health

January 19, 2023

The University of Minnesota and CentraCare are in discussions to create a new medical school that would focus on rural health.

Abortion Access Bills Advance at Capitol

January 19, 2023

A pair of bills related to abortion access are moving fast in St. Paul. The most notable of which, HF1 (Kotyza-Witthuhn, DFL – Eden Prairie), or the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act,is expected to pass the House floor today (January 19). The bill would codify the right to reproductive freedom and autonomous decisions about an individual's own reproductive health, and it outlines the fundamental right to use or refuse reproductive health care, including abortion.  

Report: Hospitals, Health Systems Struggling with Transfer of Patients

January 19, 2023

Data released January 17 from the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) shows that hospitals and health systems are struggling to properly discharge patients to appropriate care settings.

MHA found that in one week this past December, nearly 2,000 patients were eligible for transfer to a continuing care setting such as a nursing home, group home, or residential mental health treatment facility but could not be discharged from inpatient care due to a lack of capacity in post-acute care settings. This resulted in 14,622 extra hospital patient days – a data sample that is reflective of the recent patient census situation in both rural and urban hospitals.

MDH Seeks Comments Relating to Communicable Disease Reporting

January 19, 2023

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is considering modifications to the Communicable Disease Reporting Rules through the Minnesota rulemaking process. This process will update the rules to address new and emerging communicable diseases, remove unnecessary provisions, clarify reporting conditions, and address other technical changes.