by Jake Grovum
Published: March 5, 2012
Tags: David Hann, Erin Murphy, Health insurance exchanges, Jeff Hayden, Mark Dayton, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Steve Gottwalt
The two bills enter a fray that has included tussling over executive authority between Republicans and the Dayton administration and a DFL-backed bill that gained the backing of three key House GOP chairmen.
by Paul Demko
Published: February 28, 2012
Tags: Carolyn Laine, Dave Feinwachs, Jim Reimann, Steve Gottwalt
Minnesota's health maintenance organizations would be subject to annual, independent financial audits under a bill that cleeared the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee on Tuesday. The proposal, sponsored by GOP Rep. Steve Gottwalt and DFL Rep. Carolyn Laine, cleared the committee on a voice vote.
by Paul Demko
Published: February 28, 2012
Tags: Chuck Grassley, Medicaid
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is seeking information about Minnesota's Medicaid program. In a letter to the state's Medicaid director, Grassley asks whether the state requires independent audits of health plans that contract to provide health coverage to poor individuals and families.
by Paul Demko
Published: February 20, 2012
Tags: Dan Hall, Kathy Lohmer, Medicaid, Michele Bachmann, Michelle Benson, Sean Nienow
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann intends to introduce legislation requiring independent, third-party audits of nonprofit health plans that provide coverage to Medicaid enrollees.
by Paul Demko
Published: February 15, 2012
Tags: Dennis Benson, George Widseth, Glen Gruenhagen, Jim Abeler, Lucinda Jesson, Minnesota Sex Offender Program
The pending release of civilly committed sex offender Clarence Opheim has provoked sparring between the GOP House leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton. On Wednesday legislators took up the charged issue in a committee hearing, but the dialogue was considerably less heated.
by Paul Demko
Published: February 15, 2012
Tags: Carolyn Laine, David Feinwachs, Julie Brunner, Minnesota Council of Health Plans, Minnesota Hospital Association, Steve Gottwalt
The federal government is investigating Minnesota’s $3.6 billion Medicaid program for potential fraud. Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson discussed the investigation during a committee hearing on Tuesday devoted to transparency issues with regards to the state’s nonprofit health plans.
by Paul Demko
Published: January 11, 2012
Tags: Emergency Medical Assistance, Lucinda Jesson
More than 2,000 immigrants who rely on Emergency Medical Assistance for coverage are now only eligible for emergency medical care at hospitals. The cutback in service was supposed to take place at the start of 2012, but the Department of Human Services delayed enactment by a week so that individuals could file appeals.
by Charley Shaw
Published: December 21, 2011
Tags: Affordable Care Act, MCCL, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Scott Fischbach
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) has joined the ranks of traditional Republican allies who are supporting the push to create a state-based health insurance exchange system.
by Paul Demko
Published: November 25, 2011
Tags: Dave Feinwachs, Department of Human Services, Dominic Sposeto, HMO, Larry Hosch, Nora Slawik, Scott Leitz, Steve Gottwalt
Department of Human Services claims it saved $175 million through competitive bidding for state-funded insurance programs.
by Charley Shaw
Published: November 8, 2011
Tags: David Hann, Health Care, Jim Schowalter, Mark Dayton, Senate Health and Human Services Committee
Gov. Mark Dayton is calling a move by state Sen. David Hann to stall federal health care grants “undemocratic” and “unconscionable.” Hann says state legislators need to scrutinize the funding.
