Rep. Jeff Backer

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.

Maddy summaryHF 2557 redirects an existing 1.56% surcharge that Minnesota hospitals pay on patient care revenue to the Health Care Access Fund instead of the Medical Assistance Account. This bill directly affects all Minnesota hospitals (excluding federal Indian Health Service facilities and regional treatment centers) that currently pay this surcharge. The key change is shifting the funding destination for the surcharge, which hospitals already pay based on net patient revenues, to support the Health Care Access Fund. The bill does not change the surcharge rate or the hospitals required to pay it.

Maddy summaryHF 1594 requires Minnesota conservation officers to obtain a warrant or court order before conducting a search or seizure, except in emergencies or when a person consents. It also mandates that officers provide a written receipt to anyone from whom property is seized. This applies to officers enforcing natural resources laws, such as those covering hunting, fishing, and wildlife protection. The bill amends multiple existing statutes to implement these requirements, ensuring consistency across enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryHF 1005 adjusts payment rates for healthcare providers under Minnesota's medical assistance program. It increases reimbursement rates for certain residential services, sets a new statewide rate for behavioral health home services, and adjusts physician professional service rates. These changes directly affect hospitals, clinics, and care providers receiving state medical assistance payments for these specific services. The bill amends existing statutes to implement these rate adjustments while requiring budget neutrality for hospital payments. It does not create new programs but modifies existing payment structures for covered services.

Maddy summaryHF 1935 raises reimbursement rates for long-term heart rhythm monitoring services provided by diagnostic testing facilities in Minnesota. Specifically, it requires the state to pay these facilities 100% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate (or higher) for external cardiac patch monitoring devices worn by patients for 48+ hours to detect dangerous heart arrhythmias. This change affects diagnostic testing facilities that provide these specific cardiac monitoring services, which help diagnose conditions that could lead to stroke or cardiac arrest if undetected. The new rate takes effect on January 1, 2026, or after federal approval, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryHF 2950 requires Minnesota counties to provide state-funded medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage to individuals incarcerated in county jails, directly affecting jail inmates who meet standard eligibility criteria. The bill amends statutes to clarify that county jail inmates are eligible for state-funded medical programs (not federally funded assistance) and establishes that counties must cover medical costs up to the standard medical assistance payment rate. It also mandates that inmates pay co-payments from their funds where possible, with counties able to seek reimbursement from inmates who can afford it. The law ensures jail inmates can access medical care without requiring federal funding and updates payment rules for county correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and limit optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain drugs. It specifically sets new time limits: oral antivirals may not be prescribed for more than 10 days, oral steroids for more than 14 days (requiring physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for more than seven days. These changes apply directly to licensed optometrists in Minnesota who prescribe medications for eye conditions under the Board of Optometry's rules. The bill maintains existing restrictions on intravenous injections, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summaryHF 1934 modifies how dental services are administered for MinnesotaCare and medical assistance recipients. It changes the start date for a new dental administrator contract from 2026 to 2030, requires the dental administrator to meet a 55% annual dental visit rate for continuously enrolled members by 2032, and establishes a task force to assess impacts on critical access dental providers. The task force must evaluate financial effects on providers, access to care, and disruptions to integrated medical-dental services. This bill directly affects dental administrators, critical access dental providers, and patients enrolled in MinnesotaCare or medical assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1379 creates a formal "nonopioid directive" process in Minnesota, allowing patients (or their health care agents) to submit written instructions stating they must not receive opioids from health professionals or prescribers. Health care providers must include these directives in patient records and follow them, except in emergency hospital settings where a prescriber deems opioid use medically necessary. The bill also grants legal immunity to health professionals, facilities, and emergency medical services providers who comply with these directives in good faith. The Minnesota Department of Health will develop a standard form for these directives and post it online. This directly affects patients seeking opioid avoidance and all healthcare providers interacting with patient records.

Maddy summaryHF 2663 adjusts funding levels for Minnesota's human services programs for the fiscal year ending June 2025. It adds $137,099,000 to existing appropriations by modifying previous budget allocations (from 2023 and 2024 laws), including a $16.182 million reduction for MinnesotaCare from the Health Care Access Fund and a $1.735 million reduction for Medical Assistance. The bill directly affects programs administered by the Commissioner of Human Services, such as Minnesota Supplemental Aid, Housing Support, and Behavioral Health services. These adjustments are budgetary changes, not new policies, and are effective upon enactment.