January 31st, 2011

AT THE CAPITOL: THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Early in the week, the Senate Health & Human Services received an overview of Long Term Care Services as well as Hospital Funding in Minnesota, while the House HHS Committees focused on DHS/Children & Family Services and, an overall picture of Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Human Services overviews.  The House HHS Finance Committee received an overview of Waivered and Disability Services on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee heard SF0033, the "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act."  The bill is authored by Committee Chairman David Hann and would require the state to examine (and take action against) last year's Federal Health Care Legislation--PPACA--to determine whether PPACA violates Minnesotans' right to choose or decline health care services.  A number of testifiers opposed the legislation; its debate and subsequent passage caused quite a stir among committee members.  It was passed to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and is not currently scheduled for a hearing.  The companion bill, HF0199, is awaiting a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee received an overview of the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) and Health Insurance Programs.

AT THE CAPITOL: THE WEEK TO COME

This morning, Governor Dayton is holding a news conference to announce the release of a bonding proposal containing approximately $500 million in projects.  He has suggested that the Legislature add an additional $500 million to the bill.  Republican leaders have shown little interest in a bonding package that would strap the state with future debt.  Traditionally, the legislature has focused on a bonding bill only during even-numbered years (although this has not been the case in the very recent past.)

Also today, Senate Health & Human Services Committee will examine Senator Hann's SF0032, the companion to Representative Gottwalt's HF0008, which passed out of House HHS Committee a few weeks ago.  This bill redesigns service delivery for certain low-income MinnesotaCare enrollees.  Later this week, Senate HHS will discuss/examine "Forecast Changes to the Medical Assistance Program" and hear a presentation entitled "Problems, Pitfalls and Opportunities in Health Care reform" by Dr. Doug Wood of the Mayo Clinic.

Neither of the House Health & Human Services Committees have bills on their agendas this week.  Instead, they will hear a number of overviews/reports.  Among them: Waiver Services (presented by Counties); Auditors Reports on Non-Emergency Medical Transportation and Past Human Services; an overview of PPACA; Reform Ideas by the Mayo Clinic; and an overview of the Coordinated Care Delivery System (CCDS).

On Wednesday, HHS Finance will focus on: Personal Care Attendant Services and Appeals, as presented by the Department of Human Services, and Reform and Redesign of Disability Services, as presented by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities.

UPDATE ON OPPOSITION TO RECENT REPORT

At noon today, the Disability Community will voice their opposition to a recent Health Care Report during a news conference at the Capitol.  This is the first organized response to the report, which was commissioned by a group of individual health plans and hospitals, and has led to calls for the sponsoring organizations to disavow its contents.  The report was emailed to you last week by Kevin Goodno (let me know if you did not receive it).

5B SPECIAL ELECTION

On Saturday, the District 5B DFL selected Carly Melin as their endorsed candidate in the upcoming Special Election to replace Tony Sertich.  Melin is a Hibbing native and attorney with the Minnesota State Judiciary.
 
IN THE NEWS

In case you missed it, an article related to PCA services was published last week in TCPlanet.  It outlines DHS changes to qualification guidelines for PCA services and their effect on select families.  The report is titled "Cutting into the thin margin of health: PCA changes in Minnesota." 

BUDGET DEFICIT

HF130, a bill described as "Phase One" of the Republican Majority's plan to resolve the state deficit, passed the House Floor on Thursday by a vote of 68-63.  It makes permanent those cuts that were targeted in the 2009 unallotment and continued in 2010, and includes cuts to CCSA grants.  Here is an article published mid-week about this legislation.  The bill is expected to be taken up by the Senate early this week and subsequently vetoed by Governor Dayton.

Governor Dayton's budget is expected to be released on February 15.

GOVERNOR'S CABINET

No new appointments took place this past week; four commissioner positions remain unfilled.  They are: the Department of Administration, Department of Human Rights, Bureau of Mediation Services, and the Office of Enterprise Technology.
 
Current Cabinet Members are:

• Department of Revenue Commissioner—Myron Frans
• Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner—Jim Schowalter
• Department of Commerce Commissioner—Mike Rothman
• Department of Natural Resources Commissioner—Tom Landwehr
• Department of Education Commissioner—Dr. Brenda Cassellius
• Department of Health Commissioner—Dr. Edward Ehlinger
• Pollution Control Agency Commissioner—Paul Aasen
• Department of Agriculture Commissioner—David Frederickson
• Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner—Ken Peterson
• Department of Transportation Commissioner—Tom Sorel
• Metropolitan Council Chair—Susan Haigh
• Department of Human Services Commissioner—Lucinda Jesson
• Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner—retired Major General Larry Shellito
• Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board Commissioner—Rep. Tony Sertich
• Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chair—Ted Mondale
• Department of Public Safety Commissioner—Ramona L. Dohman
• Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner—Mark Phillips
• Explore Minnesota Director—John Edman
• Department of Corrections Commissioner—Thomas Roy
• Commission on Judicial Selection Chair—Lee Sheehy
• Director of the Office of Higher Education—Dr. Sheila Wright
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner—Mary Tingerthal