ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House on Tuesday approved on a 76-56 vote the conference committee report of a Health and Human Services funding package that its chief author said continues to focus on protecting the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
Top provisions in the HHS omnibus finance bill (S.F. 800) include provisions geared toward taking care of children with disabilities, addressing the opioid epidemic, preventing elder abuse, funding mental health initiatives, emergency housing for homeless and sexually exploited youth, reducing health care workforce shortages and providing resources for family caregivers.
“Our top goal in assembling this bill has been to protect our most vulnerable citizens,” said House HHS chairman Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwood. “Too many people in our state face significant challenges, whether they do not have access to the care they need, the caregivers are not there, or they simply can’t afford the care. Our mission is to deliver those services to the Minnesotans who need them.”
The bill also would repeal Minnesota’s version of Obamacare – MNsure – which has been plagued by problems ever since its first days as the state’s health insurance delivery portal.
“Minnesota has been a national leader in health care, but MNsure has been an unmitigated, unsustainable disaster,” Dean said. “It has failed to deliver on even the most basic level of providing citizens with easy access to affordable insurance. Our bill puts us back on the right course.”
Overall, the HHS omnibus package appropriates $13.9 billion in 2017-18, a $505 million reduction from projected spending. Dean said the savings is achieved largely through achieving new efficiencies. He indicated reforms have the potential to make up well beyond the $505 million reduction in just the next few years.
Other key provisions in the HHS package include:
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Provides PCAs caring for patients with the most complex disabilities with a 110-percent rate increase
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Expands the Home and Community-Based Scholarship and nursing facility educational loan forgiveness programs to help recruit and retain quality staff
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Provides $2 million in funding for Senior Care Workforce Innovation Grants
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Funds a 25% reduction in TEFRA parental fees, to help relieve the financial burden on families with disabled and very sick children
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Reforms and grants for a variety mental health services will improve Minnesota’s treatment for those struggling with mental health challenges.
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Increases emergency shelter and transitional housing for sexually exploited youth
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Includes almost $6 million in funding to address the opioid epidemic and implements numerous opiate-related reforms such as instituting prescription quantity limits
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