May 2, 2024
At least two of the MMA’s top priorities continue to advance at the Capitol, as both the Senate and House health omnibus bills were referred to the floor for a vote after being heard in their respective finance committee.
The Senate omnibus bill, SF 4699 (Wiklund, DFL – Bloomington) was heard by the Senate Finance Committee on May 1. It includes the MMA’s physician wellness bill, which would prohibit health system credentialing applications from inquiring about an applicant’s past health conditions. Additionally, the bill includes the MMA’s request for state funding for a statewide campaign to reduce the stigma behind mental health treatment and encourage physicians to seek and obtain professional help to address career fatigue and wellness.
The Senate bill also includes a separate provision that applies current prior authorization law to the state’s public programs. Currently, Minnesota’s public programs are exempted from state prior authorization laws. The Senate bill is expected to go to the floor for a vote next week.
The House omnibus bill, HF 4571 (Liebling, DFL – Rochester), includes several portions of the MMA’s prior authorization reform language. The bill has yet to be heard in the Ways and Means Committee, but is expected to be heard next week.
October 8, 2026
On September 29, a Hennepin County jury issued an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services, in a case involving a patient who died of complications following an exercise-induced heart attack.
October 8, 2026
A group of fifth-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School in St. Cloud got a firsthand look at the world of medicine on October 5, during a special Mini Medical School Day hosted by the University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus St. Cloud.
October 8, 2026
On October 7, the MMA released an updated version of its “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Resource Guide for Physicians.”