April 30, 2026
On April 27, the House unanimously passed a bill authorizing trained pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, dispense, and administer buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Under current law, pharmacists may only prescribe buprenorphine through a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a physician. Pharmacist representatives indicate that such agreements have been limited in practice, citing physician concerns related to evolving clinical guidelines and liability.
Supporters of the bill (HF 4493, Baker, R – Willmar) also note that independent prescribing authority offers greater flexibility than a statewide protocol model, allowing pharmacists to more readily align with updated clinical guidance.
The MMA strongly supports this legislation, citing significant unmet demand for opioid use disorder treatment, and the need to expand timely access to care.
Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL – Apple Valley) described the bill as “a life-or-death bill for many people who are seeking substance use disorder treatment and can’t get it in a timely fashion.”
The legislation now moves to the Senate.
October 29, 2026
On October 28, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a new project called “Strengthening Rural Maternal Healthcare in Minnesota,” which is designed to propose solutions to the increasing problem of lack of nearby access to maternal healthcare, especially labor and delivery services for people in Greater Minnesota.
October 29, 2026
MN Community Measurement (MNCM) has announced plans to expand the scope of its work from quality measurement and reporting to broader health information exchange (HIE) services.
October 29, 2026
Next Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Make sure you have a plan to vote, if you haven’t already.