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.
October 9, 2025
The MMA is partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to offer an in-person session on “Supporting Patients, Families, and Professionals in the Aftermath of Crisis” on October 21 from 6 to 8 pm in Room RL110 at the HCMC Red Building, 730 South 8th Street, in Minneapolis.
October 9, 2025
The MMA, in partnership with the Wisconsin Medical Society, will lead a panel discussion titled "The Role of Medical and Professional Societies in Supporting Clinicians and Community Health" at the Transforming Community and Rural Healthcare 2025: Bold Innovation and Partnerships symposium, to be held on October 27-28, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
October 2, 2025
The federal government shutdown will affect the Minnesota healthcare system in several important ways.