ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the Health and Human Services Conference Committee Report Friday on a 73-61 vote. The bill reduces the HHS budget by $50 million over two years through targeted cuts, reforms, and re-prioritization within the budget yet still remains true to the mission of HHS – to protect our most vulnerable and ensure the highest quality of life for Minnesotans.
The bill provides a 5% rate increase to nursing homes—the first in four years. 75% of this increase will be dedicated to workers’ wages. They will receive an additional 3.2 percent increase in 2015.
“I am very pleased that our local nursing homes will be getting a much-needed 5% rate increase. We have been fighting for this increase for many years,” said Rep. Fritz (DFL-Faribault). “This increase will help reduce worker turnover and improve the care that our seniors receive here in district 24b.”
A newborn screening provision carried by Rep. Fritz was included in the bill, which uses pulse oximetry to screen newborns for critical congenital heart disease. The state’s existing newborn screening programs are public health programs through which all infants born in the state are screened for more than 50 disorders, including hearing loss.
“This newborn screening program is a practical and effective way to make sure our newborns are healthy,” said Rep. Fritz. “This is a bipartisan measure and was brought to me by the American Heart Association because it will help infants and families across Minnesota.”
Another included provision authored by Rep. Fritz will require child care providers to place an infant to sleep on its back unless the provider has documentation from a physician to place the infant in an alternative sleeping position. The infants must be placed on their back until they are one year old or until they can roll over on their own. Infants found to be sleeping on their stomachs have a higher risk of infant mortality
“The health department recommended this provision to reduce child deaths in Minnesota,” said Rep. Fritz. “This will help to keep babies safe when they are being cared for by others.”
The bill also includes a provision supported by the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) to increase the access that Minnesota children have to certain state health benefits.
Rep. Fritz can be reached by phone at (651) 296-8237 or by email at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
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