January 30, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) new Center for Health Care Affordability (CHCA) has hired its first director.
Alex Caldwell, who started in her new position on January 29, will lead the CHCA’s efforts to build on our holistic understanding of the key drivers of healthcare costs in Minnesota, engage the public on the impact of rising healthcare costs, and collaborate closely with the MDH Health Economics Program to identify related research priorities and propose data-driven policy solutions.
Caldwell worked at the Colorado Health Institute for seven years, including five years as a director. In that capacity, she led teams focused on complex policy research and planning projects involving extensive stakeholder engagement. Her work in Colorado included developing a strategic plan for primary prevention of substance abuse; a guide to inform Colorado’s Opioid Settlement investments; a financial map of the children’s behavioral health system; and a comprehensive statewide needs assessment related to early childhood.
Caldwell has also worked with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as the Tulane University Cancer Center in New Orleans. She most recently worked in Minnesota as an associate director for FSG, designing and executing systems change strategies for complex projects with large corporate, non-profit, and philanthropic clients.
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.