March 3, 2022
On March 1, Minnesota physicians and physicians-in-training gathered online for the MMA’s Day at the Capitol which included a review of the MMA’s top legislative priorities for the current session and a talk from state Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL-Duluth).
“Today is about establishing and strengthening relationships with your legislators,” MMA President Randy Rice, MD, told the group. “Your role is crucial in promoting legislation that is good for the patients you serve.”
MMA staff scheduled dozens of meetings with lawmakers across the state. Top priorities discussed included:
Protecting Patients from Arbitrary Medication Changes
Ensure patients have access to medications by prohibiting insurers or PBMs from altering patient’s drug coverage for medications they are already on, which currently can occur in the middle of a patient's contract year.
Improve patient health by prioritizing the decisions made between a physician and a patient, rather than changes to a drug's formulary by an insurer.
Improving Patient Safety with Straightforward Communications
Improve patient safety by protecting from discovery discussions that are held between physicians and patients following an adverse event.
Endorse the Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) model, which is designed to include patients and family members in timely and honest information following an adverse event, supporting caregivers, and working to improve patient safety.
Create a POLST Registry
Authorize a feasibility study to establish a statewide registry for Provider Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to ensure EMS and emergency departments have access to POLST orders patients may have.
Click here to view MMA’s issue briefs (PDF and video formats) and other advocacy materials.
The MMA thanks its 2022 Day at the Capitol partners:
American College of Emergency Physicians, Minnesota Chapter
American College of Physicians, Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians
Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
Minnesota Association of African American Physicians
Minnesota Psychiatric Society
Zumbro Valley Medical Society
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.