February 17, 2022
MMA-backed legislation that would require the commissioner of health to study issues related to the development of a statewide registry for Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms was introduced at the Capitol this week.
The POLST bill, HF 3360, was introduced in the House on February 14 by Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, (DFL-Deephaven). If passed, the legislation would create an advisory group of stakeholders to study the creation of a statewide registry of POLST forms.
The bill works to ensure patients’ medical treatments and end-of-life preferences are followed by all healthcare providers, especially in an emergency. Currently, first responders often do not have access to a patient’s POLST form if a physical copy is unavailable during an emergency. That means medical orders, filled out by a physician following extensive discussions with a seriously ill patient and their family, might not be administered.
The bill serves as a necessary step for future legislation to create a statewide registry for POLST forms, so medical orders can be followed in the most critical of times. If passed, the bill requires the commissioner of health to submit a report on the results of the study to the Legislature by February 2023.
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.