April 7, 2022
A bill appropriating funding for mental health programs, mostly through social service grants, was heard in the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee earlier this week.
The bill (SF3249, Sen. Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake) primarily funds school-linked mental health and shelter linked youth mental health grants. Minnesota entities providing social services would be the primary recipients for many of these funds. The bill also contains sustained funding for mental health provider loan forgiveness. In total, the bill allocates $22 million in 2022 and 2023, and $53.5 million in 2024 and 2025.
In discussion on the bill, Sen. Matt Klein, MD, (DFL-Mendota Heights) offered an amendment to allocate $1 million from the state’s general fund to develop and implement an education and awareness initiative to address healthcare professional mental health and well-being. Specifically, the amendment sought to address the growing mental health concerns experienced by physicians and other healthcare professionals.
As a physician, Klein noted that doctors are experiencing not only burnout, early retirement, and workforce shortages, but increased violence, hostility, and rates of suicide.
The amendment was withdrawn after the committee indicated it would not include it in the bill. Sens. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) agreed on the importance of this issue but did not think the amendment belonged in the bill. Benson referenced her work with Sen. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) on SF3837, a bill to help retain medical staff who have undergone increased stress through peer-to-peer mental health support. She indicated her willingness to work with Klein to include his amendment in that legislation.
August 28, 2025
The apparent removal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Susan Monarez, PhD, after just weeks on the job, further imperils the work of the CDC and the health of Americans. Her removal was followed by the resignations of other senior leaders at the CDC, who have accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. of undermining scientific recommendations for vaccines.
August 26, 2025
University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham, MD, will speak at the Empowering Physicians: A Night of Learning & Connection event on Friday, September 26, from 4 to 9 pm, at the historic Hewing Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
August 26, 2025
America's physicians are seeing a rise in misinformation and disinformation from patients these days, and it’s impacting patient care, according to a new study from the Physicians Foundation.