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Health Care and Human Services Finance Division

FIFTY-SIXTH MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 23, 2010

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES


MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION FIFTY-SIXTH MEETING


HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE DIVISION
Thomas E. Huntley, Chair


Representative Cy Thao chaired the fifty-sixth meeting of the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division which began at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in Room 200 of the State Office Building. A quorum was present at 4:11 p.m. and the meeting was formally called to order. The clerk noted the roll:

Members Present:
Abeler, Jim, Vice Chair
Anzelc, Tom
Bunn, Julie
Brod, Laura
Dean, Matt
Emmer, Tom
Fritz, Patti
Gottwalt, Steve
Hayden, Jeff
Hosch, Larry
Kiffmeyer, Mary
Liebling, Tina
Otremba, Mary Ellen
Peppin, Joyce
Peterson, Sandra
Ruud, Maria
Scalze, Bev
Slawik, Nora
Thao, Cy
Thissen, Paul

Members Excused
Huntley, Thomas, Chair
Murphy, Erin

HF 3520 (Fritz) Commissioner of human services required to seek federal match for specified grant expenditures, and a report required

Representative Fritz moved HF 3520 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Health Care and Human Services omnibus finance bill and gave a brief overview of the bill. Testifying was:

Rick Cardenas, Co-Director, Advocating Change Together (ACT)

HF 3520 was laid over for possible inclusion in the Health Care and Human Services omnibus finance bill.

HF 3046 (Ruud) Birthing centers licensure established

Representative Ruud moved HF 3046 be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Finance and further moved adoption of the H3046A1 amendment. Testimony was given by:

Amy Johnson-Grass, Health Foundations Family Health and Birth Center
Cheryl Heitkamp, CNM, Minnesota Birth Center


Health Care and Human Services Finance
March 23, 2010
Page 2


Following discussion the motion prevailed. The H3046A1 amendment was adopted. Further testimony was given by:

Judy Cook, Cook Hill Girard, representing American College of Obstetrics and
Gynocology

Representative Ruud moved the following oral amendment to the bill:

Page 3, line 3.14, after the dollar sign insert "365."
Page 3, line 3.15, after the dollar sign insert "365."

The motion prevailed. The oral amendment was adopted.

Discussion continued and further testimony occurred from:

Cheryl Heitkamp, CNM, Minnesota Birth Center
Susan Stout, Director, State Government Relations, Minnesota Hospital Association

Following discussion, Rep. Ruud renewed her motion that HF 3046, as amended, be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Finance. The motion prevailed.

Discussion of the legality of counting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits when determining eligibility for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) with testimony from:

Linda Gawboy, Welfare Rights Committee
Maureen O’Connell, Advocacy Director, Legal Services Advocacy Project
Kathleen Davis, Attorney, Government Benefits Unit, Minneapolis Legal Aid
Chuck Johnson, Assistant Commissioner, Children and Family Services,
Department of Human Services

Chair Thao adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m.


____________________________________
Cy Thao, Chair


____________________________________
Jan Horner, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF3713 (Huntley) - Medical assistance eligibility expanded to include certain adults without children, and money appropriated.
  • HF3046 (Ruud) - Birthing centers licensure required, license fees established, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF3520 (Fritz) - Commissioner of human services required to seek federal match for specified grant expenditures, and a report required.


Discussion with DHS of early expansion of Medical Assistance to people with incomes below 75% of poverty. (HF3713)

Discussion of the legality of counting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits when determining eligibility for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

The Committee will take action on HF 3046.