MMA Board Votes on 2023 Legislative Priorities

November 10, 2022

The MMA’s Board of Trustees met on November 5 to discuss the MMA’s legislative priorities. Because the meeting was held prior to the recent elections, the board acknowledged that these will be reviewed and updated as needed.   

The legislative priorities aligned with the MMA’s mission and strategic goals of making Minnesotans the healthiest in the nation and to make Minnesota the best place to practice medicine. The five legislative priorities approved by the board include: 

1. Legislation to limit mid-year formulary changes. Patients are currently bound by the terms of their contract with a health insurer, yet insurers or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) routinely change the patient’s drug coverage in the middle of that contract year.  

2. Passage of CANDOR (Communication and Optimal Resolution), which is a process used by healthcare facilities and professionals to respond to and resolve adverse events. Passing CANDOR in Minnesota will improve patient safety by encouraging open and honest communication with a patient and their family following an adverse event and reduce the burden of malpractice claims. 

3. Creation of a statewide electronic registry for POLST (Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) forms. Currently, there is no central database for POLST forms, so emergency providers may not know that a patient’s POLST form exists. A statewide registry for POLST forms would help ensure patient’s end-of-life wishes are respected and physician orders are enacted. 

4. Extension of permanent coverage of audio-only telehealth services for public and private payers. Minnesota passed a strong telehealth law in the 2021 legislative session, but it included a sunset clause, ending coverage for audio-only telehealth services after June 30, 2023. Audio-only coverage is a critical service option for many patients, especially for low-income patients, older patients, and patients who may live far from a healthcare provider or have poor internet access. 

5. Expansion of Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for recuperative care services. This is a critical expansion for Minnesotans experiencing home insecurity who need a safe and stable place to recover following both acute and/or post-acute services.