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.
HF 210 (Bahner, DFL – Maple Grove), which was heard in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee this week, would also make it clear that the placement and removal of LARCs shall not require a co-payment or deductible.
In a letter of support, the MMA noted that “LARC is a safe and highly effective for decreasing unintended pregnancy. The use of LARC in the immediate postpartum setting has the potential to provide cost savings and decrease the incidence of adverse maternal and child health outcomes.”
Siri Fiebiger MD, MPH, FACOG, and Alex Vosooney MD, also offered support for the bill. “LARCs are highly effective and have a high level of patient satisfaction,” Vosooney said. “Without this bill, patients must go home and return at a later date if they choose to have a LARC inserted. This requirement is not based on what is best for the patient.”
The bill attempts to ensure access to contraception in the postpartum period to reduce unintended pregnancy, improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes, and reduce costs.
The bill was laid over for later inclusion in an omnibus health budget bill.
May 29, 2025
As the Legislature works to complete its work on the state’s two-year budget, another deadline is looming. Legislators are required to pass a balanced budget before the end of the fiscal year—June 30, 2025. If they don’t meet that deadline, the state will begin a partial shutdown.
May 29, 2025
Registration has opened for the Empowering Physicians: A Night of Reflection and Engagement event, featuring best-selling author Elisabeth Rosenthal, MD.
May 29, 2025
The AMA is encouraging physicians to contact their U.S. senators and urge them to revise the reconciliation bill passed recently by the U.S. House of Representatives. While the bill includes language that would stabilize Medicare physician payments, it also threatens to cripple Medicaid and CHIP.