March 17, 2022
The U.S. Congress has agreed to extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services for at least five months after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. President Biden signed this into law on March 15.
This will provide coverage until at least the end of 2022. Without this legislation telehealth services would have reverted to limited coverage in certain rural areas and would have required a patient to receive telehealth care at a healthcare facility.
The action is part of a $1.5 trillion bill that also funds the federal government through September and sends aid to Ukraine.
The bill extends Medicare coverage for telehealth services delivered in patients' homes and audio-only services that have been part of the public health emergency. The new law also calls on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to issue a report on telehealth use by June 15, 2023. Efforts continue in Congress to make these telehealth coverage expansions permanent.
December 4, 2025
On December 4, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its budget forecast for the 2026-27 biennium, showing a short-term budget surplus of $2.5 billion for the current biennium, but warned of a long-term $2.96 billion deficit for the 2028-29 biennium.
December 4, 2025
On December 2, the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) released a study on the safety, effectiveness, and public health impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations at birth.
December 4, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) is now accepting public comments regarding proposed legislation to mandate insurance coverage of certain treatments.