Rep. Jeff Backer

Maddy summaryHF 2465 modifies how the Minnesota Commissioner of Health sets fees for healthcare facility licenses. It updates the fee structure for hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities like outpatient surgical centers, changing how fees are calculated based on bed or resident count (e.g., $7,655 plus $16 per bed for accredited hospitals). The bill also specifies that fees for certain services must cover actual costs and clarifies that collected fees are nonrefundable even if paid before a new effective date. This directly affects healthcare facilities required to pay these annual licensing fees to operate in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2004 clarifies billing rules for disability waiver services when participants travel out of state. The bill requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to propose changes by December 2025 to include "individualized home supports without training, respite, and night supervision" under "direct care staff services" in waiver plans. This specifically allows billing for these services when waiver participants are temporarily traveling outside Minnesota or attending out-of-state postsecondary school. The policy change directly affects individuals receiving disability waiver services who need support during such out-of-state activities.

Maddy summaryHF 2466 modifies how Minnesota temporarily reduces tax rates for healthcare providers. It changes the rule that triggers a tax rate cut when the health care access fund has more money than needed (specifically, when projected revenues exceed 125% of expected spending). The bill requires the state commissioner to check if the fund's actual cash balance is sufficient before making any rate reduction. This directly affects healthcare providers who pay these taxes, as it clarifies the conditions under which their tax rates could be lowered for the following year.

Maddy summaryHF 487 appropriates $600,000 total ($300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027) from the state general fund to provide a grant to Wellness in the Woods. The funding supports daily peer support and special sessions for three specific groups: individuals in substance use recovery, people transitioning out of incarceration, and those who have experienced trauma. The grant is administered through the commissioner of human services. This is a direct funding mechanism for community-based mental health and recovery services.

Maddy summaryHF 715 increases Minnesota's medical assistance payment rates for ambulance services. It raises rates by 5% effective January 1, 2017, for providers outside major metro areas or in communities with fewer than 1,000 residents. The bill also adds a 2026 rate increase (specified as "..." percent in the text) and creates a fuel adjustment mechanism: if gasoline prices exceed $3.00 per gallon, ambulance payment rates adjust by 1% for every 10-cent price change. These changes affect ambulance providers, managed care plans, and county purchasing plans that pay for ambulance services under Minnesota's medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryHF 2604 amends Minnesota Statutes to require the commissioner to withhold 5% of payments to managed care plans providing medical assistance (for programs like Medicaid) until the plans meet specific, measurable performance targets. These targets must relate to administrative efficiency, clinical outcomes, and cost containment, and must be developed with input from healthcare stakeholders. The withheld funds are returned by July 1-31 of the following year if targets are met. This directly affects managed care organizations contracted to deliver medical assistance services to Minnesota residents. The bill does not change eligibility or coverage verification but modifies payment terms based on performance metrics.

Maddy summaryHF 2679 exempts small rural ambulance services meeting specific criteria from Minnesota's healthcare gross receipts tax. It defines "small rural ambulance services" as those operating outside major metropolitan areas and cities (like Duluth or St. Cloud) with annual revenues under $10 million. The exemption requires state approval of federal waivers to maintain eligibility for federal funding, and takes effect January 1, 2026, or after federal approval is secured. This directly affects qualifying ambulance providers in rural Minnesota communities.

Maddy summaryHF 2555 establishes a pilot program (2026-2030) for Minnesota's state employee health insurance plan, comparing retrospective utilization review (evaluating care after it's provided) against prior authorization (evaluating care before it's provided). It requires health carriers to use retrospective review for state employee coverage during the pilot, while still allowing prior authorization if needed, and mandates quality audits to track impacts on care access and costs. The program directly affects state employees covered under the group insurance plan and health care providers billing them. The commissioner must report annually on cost, access, and quality impacts to lawmakers, with final recommendations due by 2031.

Maddy summaryHF 958 requires Minnesota's medical assistance program to cover psychiatric collaborative care services for eligible clients. This model, defined as an evidence-based integrated approach involving primary care teams with psychiatric consultants, must be billed using specific codes (99492-99494, G2214, G0512). The bill mandates coverage for this service delivery method, which includes structured care management and regular clinical assessments. It takes effect July 1, 2025, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

Maddy summaryHF 2664 allocates $13.7 million in state bond funds specifically for the Redpath impoundment flood hazard mitigation project, sponsored by the Bois de Sioux Watershed District. The funding supports publicly owned capital improvements to prevent or reduce flood damage in the Redpath area, with projects required to meet standards like levees being three feet above the 100-year flood elevation. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $13.7 million to cover the state share of this project, with unused funds potentially reallocated to other priority flood mitigation projects. This directly affects communities in the Redpath flood zone and the Bois de Sioux Watershed District, which manages the project.