Rep. Robert Bierman

Maddy summaryHF 3087 establishes the Minnesota Health Care Workforce Advisory Council to address statewide health care workforce challenges, including shortages, geographic distribution, health equity, and training needs across professions like nursing, behavioral health, and pharmacy. The council, composed of 16 appointed members (including legislative representatives, state agency officials, and diverse health care experts), will analyze data, convene stakeholders, and develop recommendations for the legislature. The bill requires the council to produce a report detailing its findings and proposed solutions to improve Minnesota’s health care workforce system. This council operates independently and focuses on factual analysis rather than policy advocacy.

Maddy summaryHF 3053 updates Minnesota's regulatory framework for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) by clarifying which state agency oversees them. The bill amends specific statutes to specify that the commissioner of health - not the commissioner of commerce - has primary authority for HMO regulation, including examinations, rule-making, and compliance with insurance rules. This change ensures HMOs follow Health Department procedures rather than Commerce Department rules for matters like financial reviews and reporting. The bill also adjusts related provisions to align with this updated division of responsibility between state agencies.

Maddy summaryHF 3056 amends Minnesota's health insurance network adequacy rules to update requirements for health carriers. It changes the standard for primary care, mental health, and general hospital services to a maximum 30-mile or 30-minute travel distance/time (aligning with federal rules), repeals the previous 60-mile/60-minute standard for specialty services, and tightens waiver processes by requiring $500 application fees, detailed data on network gaps, and annual renewal with proof of progress. The bill directly affects health insurance companies (health carriers) operating in Minnesota, requiring them to meet stricter network access standards or justify waivers through a more rigorous process. These changes aim to improve geographic access to essential health services for plan enrollees.

Maddy summaryHF 3071 amends Minnesota's health care provider tax code to require that gross revenues include rebates received by providers. Specifically, it changes the definition of "gross revenues" for hospitals, surgical centers, and other health care providers to include any rebates from drug distributors, even if those rebates are part of a contractual agreement. This means providers will now calculate their taxable gross revenue using a higher figure that accounts for these rebates, rather than deducting them. The change applies to all relevant health care providers and takes effect for revenues received after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3054 requires hospitals and other healthcare providers participating in Minnesota's 340B drug program to report detailed financial data to the state Health Commissioner annually by April 1. Covered entities must disclose aggregated acquisition costs, payments received for dispensed drugs (broken down by payer type like insurance or Medicare), drug dispensing volumes, and payments made to contract pharmacies or other program expenses. Hospitals must also report this data at the drug level for their top 50 dispensed drugs. The state Health Commissioner will compile annual reports for the legislature by November 15, though individual entity data remains nonpublic. This bill modifies existing transparency requirements under Minnesota Statutes 62J.461.

Maddy summaryHF 2395 increases the maximum lump-sum pension amount for firefighters in Minnesota's defined benefit relief associations. It raises the cap from $15,000 to $20,000 per year of credited service, directly affecting volunteer and on-call firefighters who receive lump-sum pensions through these associations. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to set this new maximum, allowing associations to adopt lower amounts only if ratified by the municipality. This change applies uniformly to all years of active service, without altering existing monthly pension caps.

Maddy summaryHF 3055 allows Minnesota health insurers to provide patients with electronic "explanation of benefits" (EOB) documents instead of paper copies. Insurers must offer patients a choice between paper, electronic, or both formats, and unresponsive patients default to paper. Electronic versions must contain identical data and formatting as paper documents. This bill directly affects health insurers and their patients who receive EOBs for covered health services in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2997 modifies Minnesota's pharmacy intern regulations primarily by reducing fees. It lowers the application fee for pharmacy interns from $75 to $25 and reduces the annual renewal fee from $75 to $25 (effective January 1, 2026). The bill directly affects pharmacy interns - individuals enrolled in accredited pharmacy programs or completing required practical experience to become licensed pharmacists. These changes streamline registration costs while updating the definition of "pharmacy intern" to clarify eligibility categories, including foreign pharmacy graduates meeting specific certification requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2955 establishes the CARMA program (County-administered Rural Medical Assistance), allowing Minnesota counties to manage local medical assistance for low-income residents instead of the state. The bill requires the state commissioner of human services to involve county boards in developing contracts with health plans, including incorporating county-suggested local health goals into contracts if agreed upon. It sets a deadline of January 1, 2027, for counties with existing prepaid medical assistance programs to transition to county administration if they submit a proposal. The bill also creates a mediation process to resolve disputes between counties and the state over contract terms or local health goals.