[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6633432,"mediaKeyId","2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4","parentId",2664429,"title","Committee advances reinsurance reauthorization to Ways and Means after lengthy funding debate","audioSeconds",3289,"startMs",2849000,"endMs",6138000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4&start=2849&end=6138","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4/thumbnail_2849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633432/Minnesota/Committee-advances-reinsurance-reauthorization-to-Ways-and-Means-after-lengthy-funding-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633432-e05253df1a6d1039d1fa3510b94bfde6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164954&Signature=JMqmJKjrzBEHqom6PTHeVYH4sAmdY1gQbCgWiPJlY3AihU9VGgNwxKaP~IIrK5M98~yezwYDpYfrwbIrJKHXPE~~TvNF5ao46ydKf9u0YooHPHb5e4ggzIwrGPquVmFNsmVMoXaqSOhDiFtiY90jSmeBz2Kn2WxAHi2PYmsQUmmeIgK6P4OqAvfHA9hFfFGuBbz1Mw1drTnE7TUB1wa2EC73jk3ovMEabQV5DupeKtAcJ2jHEpAk3jWdL4ad9AqpaoyKHCQfkftMIkv~eJSRTQfbKB4iNww54S8Kvs89NhEjPGxaiKjX85OX6uT-GCOWIEv1V7DxaMs4eJiR6gIU2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-17T22:59:53.263Z","article","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 voted to refer House File 837 — a reauthorization of Minnesota’s reinsurance program for the individual insurance market — to the House Ways and Means Committee after several hours of testimony and debate over funding and program design.

Representative O'Driscoll, the bill’s author, described reinsurance as a program that stabilizes the individual market by partially reimbursing insurers for very high claims. He said Minnesota’s program helped preserve the market after insurers threatened to leave in 2016 and credited it with lowering individual-market premiums by roughly 20 percent when the program was first implemented. “If we decide in Minnesota that we don't want to renew the reinsurance program, those really aren't cost savings for us,” O'Driscoll said, warning of increased uncompensated care and potential clinic or hospital financial stress.

Supporters from health plans, hospitals, employer groups and independent agents testified that reinsurance lowers premiums for tens of thousands of Minnesotans and subsidizes high-cost medical care that would otherwise pressure the individual market. Dan Andreessen of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans said reinsurance subsidizes claims paid to providers and that independent, actuarial reports and quarterly breakdowns published by the state show reinsurance payments go to pay medical claims for chronic and high-cost conditions.

Opponents and critics — including a union public-affairs coordinator and some consumer advocates — argued reinsurance has become a recurring corporate subsidy paid from state funds and urged alternative funding mechanisms, such as an assessment on insurance carriers rather than general fund appropriations. Sydney Spreck of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said the state has become a national outlier in public funding of reinsurance and called for insurers to bear more of the cost.

Several funding options were discussed in committee. Representative Elkins offered, then withdrew, two amendments that would have put alternative funding ideas on the record: (1) an assessment on insurance industry members of the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (a governor-proposed option) and (2) a modest increase in the provider tax (healthcare access fund) to partially pay the cost. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dreyer of the Department of Commerce told the committee the governor’s budget contemplates an assessment on insurers to avoid relying on general fund dollars.

Testimony included program numbers cited by witnesses: reinsurance subsidized high medical costs for more than 4,200 patients in 2023; the program historically lowered premiums by around 20–25 percent; and cost estimates for continued reinsurance in the current bill ranged in discussion from roughly $413 million to more than $500 million depending on assumptions and mandates. Several witnesses cautioned that the final price depends on policy choices, federal matching calculations and recent state policy changes.

After discussion, the committee approved a voice vote to refer HF837 to Ways and Means. Representative O'Driscoll said the bill is a starting point to provide negotiators in Ways and Means flexibility to weigh funding options and to work toward a sustainable, multi-year solution for the program.

Votes at a glance: House File 837 — referred to Ways and Means by voice vote; A3 and A4 amendments were offered by Representative Elkins and subsequently withdrawn.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 voted to send House File 837, the reinsurance reauthorization bill for Minnesota’s individual insurance market, to the Ways and Means Committee after extended testimony and debate over funding sources.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633435,"Bill to create dementia services coordinator at Department of Health moves forward after unanimous committee action",582,2242000,2824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4&start=2242&end=2824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","/articles/6633435/Minnesota/Bill-to-create-dementia-services-coordinator-at-Department-of-Health-moves-forward-after-unanimous-committee-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633435-6015d3d8fea948a5898564923673036d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164954&Signature=FQorGvFRZg6wZ9Z~WUinLDp1tGa7dBw5ysvlb7tXWWC22fJEMjYRKuPaBRVrg4rIzV44H-6jfpfqJTL1dmyKQ6mKY3p3mOR19hsVeTQtBStr4oPH6Nn2eu4KuKHDOwju20QzU4ZCXBHNOYf9Z4rzIQI3LJs~VK584SXX~8q8v6CMtloSdFXSC7erKwlnXBNnWf9~le6FX3WIazkdUG1NGJrejINwe-mTir7SnZG6yYCLmqslwQS63VIPmIbgg33yP5dp-YOQorHt1b2kYNOZK1WnSjg5L51V-gRGmFs2HKnFJutlhC0TKRhmFWD~84U0Hj4dU~RpZ9aCWjkzdWU4Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 adopted an A1 amendment and laid over House File 794, bipartisan legislation to create a dementia services program at the Minnesota Department of Health with a named program manager.

Representative Nadeau, the bill’s sponsor, said Minnesota lacks a single state-level official focused on dementia and Alzheimer's services. “Families deserve someone who's paying attention, someone who understands a fuller picture, and work proactively to make sure that the programs that we currently have connect in a way that makes sense,” Nadeau said.

Robert Freeman, vice president for public policy at the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota chapter, testified in support and cited the association's estimate that more than 100,000 Minnesotans currently live with dementia and that the state spends roughly $1 billion annually on dementia-related care. Freeman said the position would not create a large new bureaucracy but would provide clarity and coordination across existing programs and funding streams.

Supporters noted national precedent: 29 other states have a dedicated dementia point person or program, Freeman said, and that a state manager could help leverage federal and philanthropic dollars as treatments and early-detection efforts evolve.

Committee members asked about likely priorities. Freeman said initial tasks would include improving coordination among local organizations and existing helplines, ensuring that newly available treatments reach eligible patients, and implementing recommendations from the state’s Healthy Brain Initiative plan.

The committee laid House File 794, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. The A1 amendment was adopted by voice vote and no roll-call tally was recorded at the committee level.","House File 794 would establish a dementia services program and a dedicated manager at the Minnesota Department of Health to coordinate services for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Supporters said the change would reduce fragmentation among state and local programs; the committee adopted an A1 amendment and laid the bill over.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633438,"Panel weighs extending temporary nursing permit from 60 to 90 days; bill laid over amid split testimony",1289,842000,2131000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4&start=842&end=2131","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4/thumbnail_842000.jpg","/articles/6633438/Minnesota/Panel-weighs-extending-temporary-nursing-permit-from-60-to-90-days-bill-laid-over-amid-split-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633438-10c37bd256a94af7206115d320eb2189/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164954&Signature=UtHcizArst6YqFDS5h8aO5aPEhPGUIGNZg1jDYKLL3BGzoQSSheljMPwtYizufYaNzpZgwqWTzBL5ywOUW3inJLMqHEuY1dtTH~sjxQZ~PBzjAftfEBaY5nav16QRiC981kb0TP34GtRDARkJCdHsiJTeWJlHBvwOPto9GUNNr53L9v6ii32PmOoLXbaGMBT8wP2gGGbQk0qo6iIQIg~pW9Z-Zeo2gGa2YrSEMMc99qrWCPEi4kmAj9rydc9SyRfjYFA~wyxXYoq2xzgRdipKw4Fs0vh91mvsD5Ha88ILrrxHTU2Xr~3eFBXhHM95H-HBd2UMwZgOHFzniT~iJqeWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 heard House File 499, a proposal to extend Minnesota’s temporary nursing permit from 60 days to 90 days, and laid the bill over as amended for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Representative Zaleszakar, the bill’s author, said the change is intended to reduce delays that keep newly graduated nurses, transfer nurses and travel nurses from the bedside while licensure paperwork is processed. “Extending temporary permits to 90 days buys us valuable time to transition nurses into permanent roles without unnecessary delay,” said Teresa Hanu, chief nursing officer at Aspirus Saint Luke's in Duluth, who testified in support.

Supporters — including hospital leaders and agents representing health plans — said the licensing backlog has left trained nurses idle and contributed to staffing stress in emergency departments and inpatient units. Representative Zaleszakar told the committee Minnesota graduates about 4,000 nurses each year and that other states allow longer temporary permits (examples cited in testimony included 90 days in Oregon and Hawaii and up to 120 days in Connecticut).

Opponents, led by the Minnesota Nurses Association, said the bill would lower Minnesota’s licensing standard and could be used to weaken union leverage during labor disputes. Ursula Pularuth, a labor and delivery nurse testifying for the Minnesota Nurses Association, said Minnesota \"holds very high standards to our nursing practice\" and that the bill could allow employers to hire out-of-state nurses not familiar with Minnesota-specific practice expectations. “This bill is an anti-union bill,” Pularuth said.

Committee members probed both patient-safety and workforce angles. Representative Hewitt and other members said they respect nurses’ professional standards but also expressed concern about patients waiting for care. The author and supporters said they had consulted with the Minnesota Board of Nursing and that the board had not raised objections to moving the permit window to 90 days.

The committee adopted the A1 amendment (which the chair said cleaned up language) and laid the bill over as amended for possible inclusion in the omnibus. The disposition in committee was by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

Votes at a glance: A1 amendment — adopted by voice vote; Motion to lay HF499 over as amended — approved by voice vote.","House File 499 would extend Minnesota's temporary nursing permit from 60 to 90 days. Hospital leaders and some lawmakers said the change will ease staffing shortages; the Minnesota Nurses Association opposed it, citing patient safety and labor concerns. Committee laid the bill over as amended.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6633441,"Committee adopts amendment to allow 'safe baby box' language in Minnesota safe-haven law; bill laid over",641,168000,809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4&start=168&end=809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664429-9f40242a35170c72d27ac1f8b48cf4f4/thumbnail_168000.jpg","/articles/6633441/Minnesota/Committee-adopts-amendment-to-allow-safe-baby-box-language-in-Minnesota-safe-haven-law-bill-laid-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633441-15092a7e33043e5a8d5a668946bf0700/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164954&Signature=Vp8Mn8Y-YIptvGrdvbEVSUYv83QUoPY-7uLrDQ0Zw7uxtDYGndSVSO4yl~q~qvpXHwqb-R4dhcVrk34ao547ijUGLXtJkO06yhD8sxNI7KjY6xQm5yo4pr4knAZv7r71N8FNWRd-pwEWGtaVgQQEPqNRRRBL1ZsfzDr7mox-xD6JB5i9016yGqLKON5X84Aop0KMXNqfRVOGHZ6kP66OMV7c80NCm6E0WXDyzZXGpjn~XkmX9FdB8q5qgJD7tgjQzVyXL4cGePAWr0umjSeSteprYFPNnYUCCovDtCGj406HSDtroMXHrYan6ZzNJTPyeZcwWAvz8JmnxvgkF7C--Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on March 17 adopted an A1 amendment to House File 1903 and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus package. The bill proposes allowing infant safety devices, often called safe baby boxes, to be used as a legally recognized method of surrender under Minnesota's existing safe-haven statutes.

The amendment, adopted by voice vote, cleans up language in current Minnesota surrender/newborn statutes to explicitly cover an infant safety device installed at staffed fire stations or hospitals, the bill’s author said. Representative Bodney, who introduced the bill, said the change would provide a truly anonymous option for parents in crisis and would not require state funding, noting local auxiliaries and nonprofits could fund installations.

Supporters told the committee the devices are designed to alert emergency services when a baby is placed inside and to preserve anonymity while providing basic intake information. Nicole Hoffman, a board member of the Elk River Fire Foundation, testified the devices include an informational packet that a relinquishing parent can complete anonymously and that a national hotline operated by the National Safe Haven Action Coalition has fielded thousands of calls since 2016. “This bill broadens the scope of Minnesota's law to include the most effective tool in ending infant abandonment,” Hoffman said.

Committee members asked about the scale of abandonment and data on how many safe-haven surrenders occur in Minnesota. Hoffman cited a February 5, 2025, Duluth Police Department report and said the Minnesota Department of Public Safety lists 492 locations as safe-haven drop-offs. Representative Hewitt asked whether the program can capture medical history; Hoffman replied the packet inside the box allows parents to provide as much background as they wish and can be returned anonymously.

Opposition was not recorded during the committee hearing. Representative Bodney said law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety currently list fire departments among safe-haven sites and that the amendment is intended to align statutory language with how communities already document safe-haven options.

The committee laid House File 1903, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. No roll-call vote or recorded tally was taken on the bill’s final disposition at committee; the adoption of the A1 amendment and the motion to lay the bill over were decided by voice vote.

If enacted, the change would add infant safety devices as an authorized form of surrender under Minnesota’s safe-haven statutes; the bill text and adopted amendment will determine implementation details and locations.

Votes at a glance: A1 amendment — adopted by voice vote; Motion to lay HF1903 over as amended — approved by voice vote.","The House Health Finance and Policy Committee adopted an A1 amendment to House File 1903 to add authority for infant safety devices (\"safe baby boxes\") as an option under Minnesota's safe-haven statutes and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances reinsurance reauthorization to Ways and Means after lengthy funding debate

Bill to create dementia services coordinator at Department of Health moves forward after unanimous committee action

Panel weighs extending temporary nursing permit from 60 to 90 days; bill laid over amid split testimony

Committee adopts amendment to allow 'safe baby box' language in Minnesota safe-haven law; bill laid over