(St Paul, MN) – The Senate passed a healthcare omnibus policy bill off the Floor today. It is chief authored by Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) and contains noncontroversial provisions for three areas: the MN Department of Health (MDH), health-related licensing boards, and general health care. There are several sections pertaining to the Covid-19 emergency. Passing a policy omnibus bill this legislative session will streamline the already difficult process of dealing with the current peacetime emergency.
“We expected several good policy bills to pass individually this year. That original plan was derailed by Covid, but I am very proud of this strong, bipartisan piece of legislation,” said Senator Benson. “Our process was marked by collaboration and this bill will make a positive difference in the places we need it most.”
Some peacetime emergency management contained in the language includes allowing trained pharmacists to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptives, nicotine replacement medications, and the eventual COVID-19 vaccine, as they do with the regular flu vaccine. Practitioners will be allowed to prescribe ED medication and medications to aid recovery from substance abuse through a telemedicine exam during peacetime emergencies.
Hospital transparency is a focus of the legislation, as well, furthering the steps taken in the 2019 healthcare omnibus bill. It requires hospitals to provide an itemized description of billed charges for medical services and goods the patient received during the hospital stay, within 30 days of discharge. Providers are also required to produce medical records within 30 calendar days of a written request; previously, the information had to be given “promptly,” which caused delays for individuals seeking various insurance coverages.
Medical cannabis is affected by the bill, as production and distribution facilities will be subject to annual, surprise inspections. However, those on veteran’s and railroad disability will have a lower fee to enroll in the medical cannabis program; enrollment will be $50, rather than $200.
Finally, the omnibus bill expands medical assistance for certain treatments, adds advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to statutes benefitting other medical professionals, and prohibits of issuing opioid prescriptions for more than 30 days.
The bill passed passed with a bipartisan, unanimous vote.