[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6632791,"mediaKeyId","2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096","parentId",2670313,"title","Senate file 1494 would add metachromatic leukodystrophy to Minnesota newborn screening panel","audioSeconds",731,"startMs",420000,"endMs",1151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096&start=420&end=1151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096/thumbnail_420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632791/Minnesota/Senate-file-1494-would-add-metachromatic-leukodystrophy-to-Minnesota-newborn-screening-panel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632791-ec4c2ff99434afb1b3c0e3bbff2f86b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172880&Signature=NugYQTHvkfmpEFYB6cn5CZrn46bzNjCeQXrIru3pDQgaKt0aHmPNwWzCNzcp~MlVzrJ8uDtmcBbvYn3P4LBKQynrf6V3reOzYsaummPMYF50jsaQLWLn5JBM4id5KRnvLGEdesMhrixy3uART639ufFBY2fb1nE5LrzsC3PCiIj3-aSHP87EcA-c0XYhKCCNUvPnIyQIjML3UutWY-qI53O2qDxWgLnEok5pjTSITyT1zUW4-sv7ragEl0DzYbokM3u6uM4IKd9Atxldjth82dLyQFZBrLsDQbXixzmY0mO4TJBVhInP36ypkBV9-Bld1Kxj6sN2GLL4ECVUjVRB9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-18T15:22:21.63Z","article","Senate file 1494, introduced by Senator Miller, would add metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) to Minnesota's newborn screening panel to identify affected infants before symptoms appear.

Why it matters: Physicians and family advocates told the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee that early detection is essential because available curative and disease‑modifying treatments are far more effective when given before a child shows neurologic decline. Dr. Julie Isengard, an associate professor and pediatric neuropsychologist at the University of Minnesota, said untreated children \"continually score lower and lower on repeated assessments\" and that \"there is no time to wait for an MLD diagnosis that comes only because a child has lost skills.\" Jennifer Braun, a nurse practitioner and clinical director at the Masonic Cancer Center, described a recent case in Minnesota in which a younger sibling benefited from treatment only after an older sibling was diagnosed.

Testimony and technical feasibility: Professor Michael Gelb (University of Washington) and family advocate Shanna Quimby described a mass spectrometry–based two‑step laboratory approach (sulfatide lipid analysis followed by ARSA enzyme testing). Gelb's lab pilot‑tested the method on 30,000 dried blood spots and reported identifying one true case with zero false positives in that pilot, and the speakers said laboratories would need to add a liquid chromatography module to existing mass spectrometers—an upgrade some state labs already have. Testimony included a claim about an FDA‑approved screening method timing that the record did not specify precisely; the committee requested additional technical and fiscal information from the Minnesota Department of Health before action.

Process and next steps: Senator Miller said the Minnesota Newborn Screening Advisory Committee considered MLD in October and voted unfavorably at that meeting, but the advisory committee will meet again April 15 with new information the sponsor said was not previously available. Miller said his preference is to proceed through that advisory process; he also asked the committee to consider including the change in the omnibus bill if the advisory committee does not approve it. The chair laid Senate file 1494 over for possible inclusion and requested a fiscal note and further information from the Department of Health.

What the committee record shows: The committee heard clinical descriptions of MLD (progressive motor and cognitive decline in infantile forms; cited incidence about 1 in 40,000 from testimony), family testimony about a child who died from MLD, and technical testimony about an assay that proponents say can be integrated into current newborn screening workflows. Committee members expressed sympathy for affected families and asked about the Department of Health's process and costs. No final vote was taken on the bill.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate file 1494, introduced by Senator Miller, would add metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) to Minnesota's newborn screening panel to identify affected infants before symptoms appear.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632771,"Senate file 2413 would authorize hospital assessment to draw down federal Medicaid dollars, sponsors say",0,5860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096&start=5860&end=5860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096/thumbnail_5860000.jpg","/articles/6632771/Minnesota/Senate-file-2413-would-authorize-hospital-assessment-to-draw-down-federal-Medicaid-dollars-sponsors-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632771-8ddd4f9abd4d34c1dbc40cd131247c24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172880&Signature=bnCczPU5osK77-J6Sg3Er1in-ETtD9LQc9WplDar8bZ1Z51nsC76wYmbDnZFxoaMc7otM9Hvr-x1l5NyVabniUVfxFXfIJZdruKStEdJFckdreSi8vUUsFoiWQAKIi09XwTpjHt4ZdgOTNrkNeMOpwuPAoqWFTh5YWYJa6gWTPUMur6Lcf20qeSe1ahVGtUFBNLWHlB7t7jNzZ45p-upb5DH6c0wakFjqAjjx1t2Gnbe8M22OP~ORy~k87BUwQ08e1u3-ocvbwJdEXhDscneHYgl9rGTHrpi6jHsLPLs9WAHZwCM8HsUz2kCgnMuQNa~hxNs5D7cPXfYtXBuY4CdWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate file 2413, sponsored by Senator Mann, would authorize a hospital assessment program that uses state assessments on hospitals to draw down additional federal Medicaid matching funds and return them to hospitals through directed Medicaid payments.

Why proponents support it: Hospital leaders told the committee that operating margins remain strained since the pandemic and that service lines — including labor and delivery, pediatrics and behavioral health — have been closed or reduced in multiple communities. Rick Brewer (CEO, Community Memorial Hospital, Cloquet) described local financial deterioration and said rural hospitals run integrated community services (EMS, hospice, nursing home, clinics) that are at risk when hospital margins worsen. Trevor Zawalish (North Memorial Health) said the system serves large volumes of Medicaid and Medicare patients and faces losses that threaten service continuity.

Mechanics and federal match: Testimony described the assessment as an upfront hospital payment that draws federal Medicaid funds at the applicable FMAP rate; those federal dollars would be redistributed as directed payments to stabilize Medicaid hospital funding. Sponsor modeling presented in committee materials estimates the program could draw down roughly $1 billion in additional federal funds in aggregate; committee members asked staff for clarifying details. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans supported the concept but requested timeline and administrative changes (for example, aligning MCO payment timelines to industry standard 30 days rather than shorter periods in the bill).

Committee action: The committee adopted an author's amendment earlier in the hearing and voted to pass Senate file 2413; the bill was referred to the Committee on Taxes.","Senate file 2413 would create a hospital assessment program that returns federal Medicaid matching funds to Minnesota hospitals through directed payments. Sponsors said the change could stabilize hospital finances and preserve services; the committee passed the bill and referred it to Taxes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632776,"Senate file 1574 would push Minnesota toward a single‑PBM model for Medicaid, sponsors say",1905,4489000,6394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096&start=4489&end=6394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096/thumbnail_4489000.jpg","/articles/6632776/Minnesota/Senate-file-1574-would-push-Minnesota-toward-a-singlePBM-model-for-Medicaid-sponsors-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632776-85661852a59a6e988561451b9c134823/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172880&Signature=nHSluDqrf4cPyApA7kcnGS7~iCmYZTC0iu5XPv2obeSkhdBqWqnLDFRYWZkbOKOEHWcEA1KqhZZg1G0gp~-lU7yIMP1ItmTsaP6tIX8AO6EzydOKfGh4iOl5HB56ISufHtc0TpFQn5xyN3ID6VEFPpRjpyMnJunvSgLZjCx1vYrEFcvTt4fSUqeBAz48QFQrzocYSkutN3vX8Jed2LMTj~P4uGBdLaYQmMoMusYBsm6SaAitxk8MVl2KBXGCpuOLc-wiJ2w5NT0w~vrrCrlv1JshvCdcHT7FRUxBFe7fNIrrc7URMb-0HuYhRM5tlIvupmiVU~X38TnaPgfgAsoWqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate file 1574, presented by Senator Mann with an adopted author's amendment, would move Minnesota's Medical Assistance pharmacy benefit toward a single‑PBM (pharmacy benefit administrator) model for managed care, with a state‑selected preferred drug list and transparent pricing.

Sponsor rationale and evidence from other states: Senator Mann said the single‑PBM model, first implemented in Kentucky, prevents PBM practices such as spread pricing, clawbacks and opaque rebate chains and has generated large savings in other states. The sponsor cited Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana and Mississippi as states that reported multi‑year savings after adopting similar models. Testifying pharmacists said the single‑PBM approach would increase transparency and allow the state greater control over reimbursement rates to ensure pharmacies receive payment closer to the true acquisition and dispensing cost.

Concerns and operational questions: Committee members asked about implementation risks, timing, and whether state agencies would be administratively prepared to operate a pass‑through or pharmacy‑benefit‑administrator model. Sponsor and testifiers emphasized that the bill uses a private contractor to administer the benefit under state rules rather than creating a new state agency; proponents said Ohio officials reported direct savings that reached hundreds of millions of dollars in the first years after implementation.

Committee action: The committee adopted an author's amendment and laid Senate file 1574 over for possible inclusion; members requested a fiscal note and additional details about operational timelines and vendor selection.","Senate file 1574, sponsored by Senator Mann and amended in committee, would require Minnesota Medicaid managed care plans to use a single contracted PBM and a state‑preferred formulary, a model sponsors said has saved other states millions. The bill was laid over for further work and a fiscal note.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632781,"Senate file 2152 seeks temporary pharmacy payments amid reports of widespread closures",1450,3132000,4582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096&start=3132&end=4582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6632781/Minnesota/Senate-file-2152-seeks-temporary-pharmacy-payments-amid-reports-of-widespread-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632781-2f93543037bc6cf8ffac9e8efbd52d22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172880&Signature=NcHbvWTJpht9l8oe0dfhSJ5~zaTg2L0S4vxcqWFUEGObo9T8ABODNyEwNvIby-p5GZCNmlXW6rrIRiNCxB72gKKT2c9BVJgRmFnad-zR0Ec21XZlRBUNmJdM5WgWy9wFT52V6Qix~rVEJMEbeoZdhnseIk5poOQ6Tk~CKPLrVQ8h-OqfD08iwXhJYZtrZjljyAkDnNovvwXGEuM5aVgcjjO4loQbaKmqLCJibNb2rdS33LbmPy3lkeNhK1QG3Pd3YUbgn~XIpZ3t1cLpyGgQIDrWlc684gRtc40GO8J6Zzu7WWeBPV40gesAOL2uS27b1COGXJAXLe1TTjTnY~4Dnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate file 2152, introduced by Senator Mann, would create a temporary directed pharmacy payment intended to provide short‑term financial relief to community pharmacies facing under‑reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and managed care organizations (MCOs).

Testimony and problem description: Independent pharmacists told the committee that pharmacies are closing at an accelerating rate and that many Medicaid (MA) prescriptions are reimbursed through multiple MCO‑contracted PBMs at rates that do not cover drug acquisition and dispensing costs. Witnesses said 40 Minnesota pharmacies closed since 2023 and cited 32 closures in 2024; one speaker said roughly 17% of Minnesotans live in ZIP codes without a pharmacy. Testimony explained that roughly 15% of MA fills are paid by fee‑for‑service and about 85% are paid through MCOs that subcontract with PBMs, and that an updated state cost‑of‑dispensing survey shows an average break‑even dispensing cost of $11.55 per prescription.

Short‑term proposal and broader reform: Supporters asked for a short‑term add‑on of $4.50 per dispense to keep doors open while a longer term solution is developed. Several testifiers also urged broader reform: Senate file 1574, the following item on the agenda, would shift Minnesota's MA pharmacy benefit to a single PBM (a pharmacy benefit administrator) and use transparent pricing (NADAC plus) as a longer‑term fix.

Committee action and context: Members expressed bipartisan concern about closures and uncertainty about whether the temporary payment is sufficient. Senator Mann said the $4.50 add‑on is a bridge to more comprehensive PBM reform. The committee laid Senate file 2152 over for possible inclusion and requested fiscal information.","Senate file 2152 would establish an interim directed pharmacy dispensing payment (an additional $4.50 per dispense as testified) to qualifying community pharmacies to help stem closures driven by managed‑care PBM reimbursement below operational cost. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632786,"Senate file 2322 would create a statewide health care workforce advisory council, proponents say",1288,1877000,3165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096&start=1877&end=3165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670313-f7201a4c97453c71c713a1151815f096/thumbnail_1877000.jpg","/articles/6632786/Minnesota/Senate-file-2322-would-create-a-statewide-health-care-workforce-advisory-council-proponents-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632786-56c4fb5464308d3ca364ccd0d944277d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172880&Signature=RyWG6woIu19p54oV8ZPZojkWOR35WWTC1icEhL109SHDXGmydpHE0Nfj5RaeTgfzzr5Ka1t69t9vLYlltcBnE1XmKGEiZkhdLevZiaAYMgpt0SgR30YhS6UYsybM3Yh6tER1BBb6aOO5GKRVBOy1bfH6KYXTOLSncBXpuB3RJZKghTGF6i1yafAI6Pj6Z2vNmEK8HqeXy6QwOL93qFeLe6UqEi-ZqPtpUKEM7w2RsTeBfVswu5h1rc~GrEgbqUOtSpXj9rsXTfKzuwg7vQP2eu166JipPK5m3KOrohMM1h8TL-vfuRPQEMf7DynYm~xUZq6FPJjbWHvT~46KhiuZTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate file 2322, presented by Senator Rickland, would create a statewide health care workforce advisory council to coordinate data collection, planning and legislative recommendations on Minnesota's health workforce needs.

Why it matters: Testimony from university and workforce experts argued Minnesota lacks a single coordinating body that can analyze statewide data, align investments, and recommend strategic priorities across professions. Dr. Shali Prasad (University of Minnesota) told the committee that workforce development takes time and that a standing council can help Minnesota plan for changes such as telehealth and new technologies. Tricia Todd (director, Pre‑Health Student Resource Center, University of Minnesota) and Valerie Dafore (executive director, Minnesota State Healthforce Center of Excellence) said a council could bring together education, employers and state agencies to produce actionable recommendations; Dafore cited a 2015 mental health workforce plan example in which many recommendations were implemented.

Members' questions and response: Committee members asked how appointees would be selected and whether the council would be effective rather than duplicative. Testifiers said the intent is to appoint subject‑matter experts and to set multi‑year priorities that guide appointments. Senator Rickland said the council would help connect workforce investments already made by the Legislature to measured outcomes.

Committee action: The committee voted to pass Senate file 2322 and re‑refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government (voice vote).","Senate file 2322 would establish a health care workforce advisory council to coordinate data, planning and recommendations across professions and institutions. Supporters said coordinated, data-driven planning could improve distribution of state investments; the committee voted to pass and re‑refer the bill to State and Local Government.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate file 1494 would add metachromatic leukodystrophy to Minnesota newborn screening panel

Senate file 2413 would authorize hospital assessment to draw down federal Medicaid dollars, sponsors say

Senate file 1574 would push Minnesota toward a single‑PBM model for Medicaid, sponsors say

Senate file 2152 seeks temporary pharmacy payments amid reports of widespread closures

Senate file 2322 would create a statewide health care workforce advisory council, proponents say