Sen. Alice Mann

Maddy summarySF 993 appropriates $250,000 for each of the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years to the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation. The funds support the ProStart program in Minnesota high schools, which provides culinary and hospitality management education to address workforce shortages in the industry. The grant must be used for student curriculum, tools, skills training, professional development, and scholarships within hospitality. This is a one-time appropriation targeting high school students participating in the ProStart program.

Maddy summarySF 1622 modifies how Minnesota reimburses Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics for medical services. It requires these providers to annually choose between two payment methods: the standard prospective payment system or an alternative method based on Medicare cost principles. This change applies to all claims for services provided on or after January 1, 2021, updating Minnesota's reimbursement process under state law. The bill directly affects FQHCs and rural health clinics operating in Minnesota that receive state medical assistance payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $44,000 from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the Palliative Care Advisory Council under Minnesota Statutes section 144.059. It provides direct funding for the council's operations, enabling its work in advising on palliative care policies. The funding is a specific, one-time allocation for the council's existing statutory role, with no new policy changes or eligibility criteria established. This is a straightforward budgetary provision affecting only the council's operational capacity.

Maddy summarySF 2567 creates a clear process for determining who can make health care decisions for Minnesotans who haven't appointed a health care agent. It defines an "unrepresented individual" as someone aged 18+ without a valid health care directive or agent, or whose agent isn't available or empowered for the specific decision. The bill establishes a default surrogate order, allowing medical providers to recognize family members, close friends, or certain designated representatives (like hospice family members or individuals named in a power of attorney) as decision-makers. This applies directly to patients in medical settings who lack a formally appointed agent, ensuring a structured approach to health care decision-making without a prior directive. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify these roles and processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health plans from removing a drug from their formulary or moving it to a higher-cost tier during a plan year for enrollees who were previously prescribed that drug. It directly affects Minnesota health plan enrollees taking specific medications throughout their coverage year. Exceptions allow changes if the FDA deems a drug unsafe, withdraws it, or if evidence shows imminent patient harm. Health plans may switch to lower-cost generic/biosimilar drugs with 60 days' notice to prescribers and enrollees. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to develop and provide a maternal mental health program for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Key provisions include mandating screenings during the perinatal period (based on ACOG guidelines), ensuring providers are reimbursed at cost for services, preventing unreasonable referral delays for mental health care, and providing resources to connect patients with specialists. The program applies to all health plans and medical assistance programs, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals by expanding access to mental health support during a critical health period.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's fourth-degree assault law to protect healthcare workers more broadly. It adds a new provision (subd. 2b) making it a felony to physically assault and cause demonstrable bodily harm to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare providers in *any* setting - not just hospital emergency departments as currently protected. The law increases penalties for such assaults to a maximum of two years in prison or a $4,000 fine. It applies to all healthcare services provided by these professionals and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover power standing systems (devices that allow wheelchair users to stand) without imposing additional costs like deductibles or co-pays. It also mandates that MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs cover these systems starting in 2026. Insurers must report costs to the Commerce Commissioner, who will reimburse them for coverage expenses not previously provided. The law applies to all health plans offered after January 1, 2026, directly affecting wheelchair users seeking this mobility aid and state-funded health programs.

Maddy summarySF 1621 appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide subsidies to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Minnesota. These centers, which serve underserved communities and provide primary care, directly benefit from the funding under Minnesota Statutes section 145.9269. The bill authorizes the commissioner of health to distribute these funds to eligible FQHCs to support their operations. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, with no additional requirements or program modifications specified.

Maddy summarySF 1623 amends Minnesota’s dental hygienist licensure requirements under Statute 150A.06, affecting applicants seeking to practice in Minnesota. The bill maintains the requirement for applicants to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program (minimum two years) or hold a comparable international dental degree (D.D.S. or D.M.D.). It updates examination rules, requiring passage of both a national board exam and a clinical competency exam, with stricter limits on retaking the clinical exam after two failures. The changes clarify eligibility, exam procedures, and fee structures without altering the core education or testing standards.