SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Monday, the Minnesota House approved a bipartisan agreement reached with the Senate on Health and Human Services policy legislation. The bill reflects a consensus reached on Friday by a joint House/Senate conference committee on numerous proposals.
“While waiting for budget targets, the HHS conference committee worked to reach agreement on many important pieces of legislation to improve health care and human services in Minnesota,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health Committee. “There is still a lot of work left to do. After a difficult year, we have been reminded how important it is to have a strong public health system and that every Minnesotan needs affordable, accessible, quality health care.”
“The HHS conference committee agreement is a significant start as we continue our work to invest in a healthy future for all Minnesotans,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth), Chair of the House Human Services Committee. “Finishing the HHS policy bill shows that we can accomplish bipartisan work that is important for those with disabilities, older adults and children. Now that we have agreed upon budget targets, I’m hopeful we can soon reach an agreement on an HHS finance package that not only helps Minnesotans recover from COVID-19, but strengthens everyone’s health, wellbeing, and economic security over the long-term.”
Among many other provisions, the bill includes measures to:
- Make prescription drugs more affordable through changes to the Prescription Drug Repository Program and expansion of the prohibition on pharmacy “gag clauses” that prevent pharmacists from informing patients when they are paying prices for drugs that are greater than what they would pay out-of-pocket.
- Establish a directed payment arrangement to help Hennepin County Medical Center, an important safety-net system.
- Improve Minnesota’s medical cannabis program, including allowing the use of dried raw cannabis.
- Make important changes related to child support payments, including recommended changes that come from the Child Support Task Force.
- Create mental health uniform service standards to help providers focus more on serving their clients and providing high quality mental health services.
- Implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Minnesota.
The bill will next head to the Senate for its consideration. A summary of the legislation is available here. Video of Monday’s House Floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.
Lawmakers will continue working to reach a compromise on budget legislation in anticipation of a June special session.