April 17, 2025
On April 14, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that layoffs made public earlier this month would be delayed because of a temporary restraining order issued by a federal district court in Rhode Island in State of Colorado, et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. on April 5.
“We are grateful for this action by the court, which we feel aligns with the federal government’s responsibility to us as a grantee,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD. “This action has given us additional short-term certainty around this funding, which allows us to delay this layoff process slightly.”
Starting April 1, MDH sent layoff and separation notices to approximately 170 employees as a result of the recently terminated federal grants. With the time the temporary restraining order provided, MDH leadership was able to move the effective layoff date to May 13.
These layoffs are a direct consequence of the unexpected action by the federal government to revoke more than $220 million in previously approved federal funding.
April 9, 2026
An amended piece of legislation that would exempt buprenorphine from prior authorization (PA) was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 9.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard a bill that would require coverage for psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services under Medical Assistance.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the House Taxes Committee heard legislation focused on supporting the financial stability and ongoing operations of Hennepin Healthcare.