Senate committee advances health‑policy omnibus, adopts technical fixes and sends bill to the floor

The Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on March 26 recommended passage of Senate File 32‑95 as amended and sent the omnibus health and human services policy package to the floor.

The bill, carried in committee as a delete‑everything omnibus, bundles policy language on health‑related occupations, multiple Department of Health (MDH) policy provisions and Department of Human Services (DHS) administration items. Counsel and staff walked members through the measure section‑by‑section before members adopted a sequence of technical and policy amendments, culminating in a committee recommendation that the bill be passed as amended.

The package makes targeted changes across professions and programs. Key provisions adopted in committee include clarifications to chiropractic licensure requirements (with an effective date added for the chiropractic section), changes to pharmacy licensure and electronic prior‑authorization alignment to the Medicare Part D NCPDP SCRIPT standard, expanded MDH authority to receive HMO termination notices for participating entities, and prohibitions on prior authorization and cost‑sharing for immunizations listed on certain professional immunization schedules. The bill also updates drug‑price transparency reporting to include additional entities and technical timeline changes, and moves certain HMO oversight filing requirements into an HMO‑specific chapter.

Rob Vanasek, testifying for the Minnesota Academy of Audiology, urged the committee to remove a practice‑specific in‑person practical examination for audiologists seeking licensure by reciprocity. "This practical exam creates a barrier unsupported by evidence and places Minnesota at odds with every neighboring state," Vanasek said, arguing the requirement undermines the audiology and speech‑language pathology interstate compact Minnesota joined in 2024 and harms rural telehealth access.

Author and sponsor Senator Wicklund said the omnibus assembles policy language from agency bills and bills heard in committee, and described it as a vehicle to deliver non‑cost changes that can improve access to mental health and other services. "I think this is a way to bring some policy changes forward that are not... that don't have a cost and can improve access to mental health care," Wicklund said.

Committee members debated several amendments before adopting them by voice vote, including a technical A‑12 amendment that adds an effective date (07/01/2026) to a chiropractic provision and clarifies terminology; other amendments addressed tribal representation on advisory committees, pharmacy practice references, and various technical cleanup items. The committee accepted an oral amendment clarifying a federal‑law reference for limited‑scope pediatric dental network requirements after staff explained the change.

Outcome: By voice vote the committee recommended Senate File 32‑95 as amended be passed and moved on to the floor.

What’s next: The bill will proceed to the Senate floor for further consideration. Committee materials noted some sections will also go to finance for statutory changes that affect licensing boards' finances.