April 18, 2024
On April 8, the House Commerce Committee held an informational hearing on legislation that would prohibit private equity companies and real estate investment trusts from acquiring or increasing control over providers of healthcare services.
“We have all heard about the rising cost of healthcare and the burdens that places on the people we are here to represent.” said Rep. Jessica Hanson, HF 4206’s chief author. “One of the reasons for the rising cost of healthcare and decreased quality of care is the influx of private companies and real estate investment trusts, who are disrupting the fragile cost of care model in our healthcare system today solely to put profits over patients.”
The legislation would put a moratorium on private equity entities from beginning or expanding direct or indirect ownership, financial, or operational control of medical services in the state, without a current end date. Two MMA members testified as individuals in support of the bill: Najaha Musse, DO, a resident at the University of Minnesota, and medical student Hunter Cantrell.
Proponents used nursing homes as an example of the negative impact private equity can have on healthcare, citing research from the Gerontological Society of America that found private equity ownership of nursing homes in Minnesota correlates with worse care and outcomes, as well as higher administrative fees and lower occupancy rates.
Legislators echoed similar concerns with the growing presence of private equity firms in healthcare, but raised concerns over whether the legislation goes too far without a better understanding of unintended consequences, such as further closures or reduced services in some facilities. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the definition of private equity in the bill, whether it would include individual practice mergers, or a group of physicians purchasing a practice from a colleague. Questions were also raised whether private equity investments may be needed to cover expensive operational costs such as medical supplies or technology.
There was no action taken on the legislation following the committee’s discussion.
October 23, 2025
The MMA, along with the University of Minnesota Medical School, will hold a virtual physician forum on November 5 at noon on “Health Professions Education and Minnesota's Rural Health Workforce.”
October 23, 2025
AMA staff have confirmed that, as of October 21, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has guided Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to lift their temporary holds on Medicare fee-for-service claims impacted by provisions that expired on October 1 – including all Medicare fee-for-service claims in Minnesota.
October 23, 2025
For the second time in eight weeks, national grief expert David J. Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, visited Minneapolis. The first trip was days after the Annunciation Catholic Church and School shooting when he met with school leaders to help with the healing process. He returned October 21 to revisit the school and to meet with local healthcare providers at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) to offer tips on dealing with the aftermath of crisis.