Sen. Alice Mann

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Minnesota from requiring prior authorization for antineoplastic cancer treatments that follow National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, directly affecting cancer patients and insurers. It specifically bans prior approval for non-medication cancer treatments (like certain therapies or procedures), while medications for these treatments still require prior authorization but must be processed under faster timelines. The change applies to health benefit plans offered, sold, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. This eliminates administrative delays for covered cancer treatments, streamlining access to care without altering coverage for medication-based treatments.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2352 modifies the state's tax rules for health insurers and health plan companies. It clarifies that "direct business" includes stop-loss insurance for self-funded health plans but excludes reinsurance and self-insurance, and creates a new definition for "health plan company" covering specific health plans while excluding certain corporations. The bill adjusts the tax rate for health maintenance organizations and similar entities to 1% of gross premiums (minus returns) and changes how insurers can offset guaranty association assessments against their premium tax liability. These changes apply to premiums received after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive procurement process and enter into a master contract with that PBM. It directly affects medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, as well as health plans and county-based purchasing organizations that provide their coverage. Key provisions include prohibiting the PBM from requiring specialty drugs from affiliated pharmacies, mandating full disclosure of conflicts of interest during selection, and requiring the PBM to process all pharmacy claims under managed care contracts. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to establish these requirements and ensures the PBM operates with transparency for state healthcare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Patients' Compensation Fund to cover medical malpractice damages that exceed a provider's insurance limits. It directly affects licensed health care providers (including doctors, nurses, hospitals) who must participate by paying membership fees and premium surcharges into the fund. The fund pays for compensatory damages in claims exceeding insurance coverage, but excludes intentional harm, punitive damages, and certain other cases. A nine-member board (including medical professionals, nurses, hospital reps, insurance experts, and attorneys) will manage the fund's operations and governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's rules for suspending or terminating home and community-based services (like care for people with disabilities or elderly individuals). It requires service providers to document efforts to prevent suspensions (such as consulting support teams and requesting case manager help) before issuing a temporary suspension, and clarifies that refusing psychotropic medication authorization is *not* grounds for service termination. The bill also specifies suspensions may only occur for imminent safety risks, unmet medical needs, or unpaid services - excluding routine payment issues. These changes aim to protect service recipients' rights while ensuring providers follow structured procedures before disrupting care.

Maddy summarySF 1567 establishes Minnesota's Office of Patient Protection to directly assist residents facing healthcare access or quality issues, such as denied services or restricted provider choices. The office, led by a governor-appointed director, will collect and share health plan quality and satisfaction data on its website, help consumers navigate insurance or public program concerns, and annually report to the legislature with recommendations to simplify healthcare systems. It specifically does not provide healthcare or insurance but focuses on consumer advocacy and transparency. This bill directly affects Minnesotans interacting with health insurers or providers and requires health plans to be transparent about quality metrics. The office must submit its first annual report by February 15, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 1561 establishes two new grant programs to improve children's mental health services in Minnesota. It creates a "youth care professional grant" to fund trauma-informed training for direct care staff working in children's residential facilities, certified programs, and day treatment settings. The bill also creates "high-fidelity wraparound grants" to support community-based providers and counties in delivering comprehensive, child-driven mental health services for children with serious challenges. Both programs require specific training curricula, documentation of service costs, and the creation of a registry for trained staff, with funding administered through the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a statewide assessment of out-of-school programs for youth under age 21, including current funding, program availability, and community access barriers. The assessment must include direct input from youth, families, program providers, and experts to identify gaps and improve service quality. By February 15, 2026, the commissioner must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees. The bill appropriates one-time funding from the general fund to cover the assessment and reporting process.

Maddy summarySF 1675 establishes licensure requirements for clinical art therapists in Minnesota. The bill defines clinical art therapy as a specialized practice using art-based methods to address mental, developmental, and emotional disorders, and sets standards for education through accredited programs. It modifies the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy to include five licensed clinical art therapists as board members, alongside other licensed professionals. The legislation also imposes fees for licensure, establishes civil penalties for violations, and appropriates funding for the board's operations. This directly affects clinical art therapists seeking licensure and their clients, ensuring regulated practice under defined standards.

Maddy summarySF 2152 requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to establish a $4.50 per prescription payment for eligible pharmacies in rural or underserved areas to improve access to pharmaceutical services. Managed care plans and pharmacy benefit managers must pay this amount to participating pharmacies without reducing existing payments for prescriptions dispensed to medical assistance enrollees. Eligible pharmacies must be independently owned (not affiliated with pharmacy benefit managers or health insurers), located in medically underserved areas, or part of a chain with 12 or fewer Minnesota pharmacies. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund for this program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with implementation dependent on federal approval.