May 8, 2025
Minnesota's MMR vaccination rate for kindergartners continues to trend downward according to Minnesota Department Health (MDH) data, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported in its May 7 edition.
Statistics show that about 87% of Minnesota kindergartners have the required two doses of the MMR vaccine. Experts say that 95% coverage is required to reach "herd immunity."
Minnesota now ranks as the fourth worst in the nation in terms of percentage of MMR vaccination rates, only ahead of Idaho, Alaska, and Wisconsin.
"The current loophole in Minnesota law that allows parents to express a conscientious objection to vaccines harms kids and harms our communities," said MMA President Edwin Bogonko, MD, MBA. "We strongly believe that all vaccine exemptions should be for medical contraindications only."
For more information, visit the MDH's school immunizations page.
May 8, 2025
The House leadership reached agreement earlier this week on a health and human services (HHS) budget for the upcoming two-year period. However, the bill does not include the MMA’s priority to increase Medical Assistance (MA) payments for outpatient services to 100% of the Medicare level.
May 8, 2025
MMA member and State Sen. Matt Klein, MD, (DFL-Mendota Heights) announced on May 6 that he's running in 2026 for Minnesota's Second Congressional District, a seat being vacated by U.S. Rep Angie Craig, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
May 8, 2025
On May 3, as part of its ongoing efforts to understand trends and changes in the Minnesota physician workforce, the MMA Board of Trustees discussed a recent analysis of workforce data presented by representatives of the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Healthcare Workforce Analysis Group.