MHA Healthline

This week, lawmakers held a press conference at the Capitol, suggesting they may offer more legislation on oversight of healthcare consolidation in 2027. Also, a change of leadership at Gillette Children's, gubernatorial candidates face off, and CMS says the coming drop in Medicaid spending will be bigger than originally estimated.

This week, Minnesota health systems proposed a third major consolidation, combining HealthPartners and Essentia. Also, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota said it was ending most of its Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, and the Department of Commerce unveiled new individual and small group premium rate increases as open enrollment is poised to open later this month.

Minnesota's gubernatorial campaigns are heading into the home stretch as October approaches, and DFL candidate Amy Klobuchar continued to fill in details of the health policies she will pursue. GOP contender Lisa Demuth has yet to lay out a comprehensive health proposal. Also, Gov. Tim Walz was in Rochester this week, highlighting the first half of the state's decades-long Destination Medical Cent...

This week, KSTP released a new poll showing affordability and inflation are major concerns for Minnesota voters, and healthcare is a key part of that. Also, a deeper dive into the state's fraud crisis, Democrats in Washington press their case for Medicare for All as elections near, and federal auditors say HHS overpaid Medicare Advantage reimbursements to UnitedHealthcare.

Children's Minnesota received a record-setting $35 million gift to expand access to precision medicine this week, and state officials shared an update on the revalidation of thousands of Medicaid providers. Also, some Allina Health physicians file a strike notice. 

Emergency department staff at Hennepin Healthcare were called upon yet again this week to respond to a mass shooting that injured multiple people in Minneapolis. It highlighted the role HCMC plays in emergency response, one of the key arguments for a state rescue of the hospital earlier this year. Also, a new report detailed sharply rising Medicaid spending expected in Minnesota as the state brace...

This week: Rep. Betty McCollum puts federal healthcare cuts and affordability in the spotlight during a roundtable, as Republican candidate for governor Lisa Demuth lays out her own plans to lower costs in Minnesota. Also, the Regions Hospital EMS team marks its 18th year as the official first aid provider of the Minnesota State Fair.

This week: GOP nominee Lisa Demuth and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar are traveling the state and gearing up their election campaigns. They're also talking more about healthcare, now that their party primaries are over. Also, the state is about to get a new minimum wage for nursing home workers, and yes, another food-borne illness outbreak is hitting Minnesota.

Immigration enforcement and Medicaid fraud proved the deciding issues in this week's election, but healthcare affordability, rising uninsured rates and looming Medicaid cuts are still in the background as Minnesota heads for the fall elections. Plus, new moves against gender-affirming care and CDC vaccine recommentations by the Trump administration.

The Star Tribune drew on recordings of private meetings for a look at Hennepin Healthcare's financial troubles that eventually required a state rescue in May. Former executives say repeated interventions by elected county officials thwarted efforts to address the crisis. Also, statewide candidates talk healthcare on the campaign trail, and the Health Resources and Service Administration says it wi...

This week, health policy discussions sharpened as candidates headed into the final lap of campaigning ahead of Minnnesota's Aug. 11th primary election. Also, the Minnesota Department of Health convened a meeting of two task forces that could shape healthcare cost and policy in the next legislature. And, Minnesota ranks #2 in a new analysis of healthcare quality in the U.S.

The federal government announced a third Medicaid reimbursement freeze for Minnesota, citing ongoing fraud and Allina shows off its new, 21-century, AI-ready addition, with 190 patients and 30 high tech operating rooms. 

The Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital is open and ready for patients, even as the community copes with massive wildfires on near town. Also, Allina and Sutter Health leaders make their case to join together at a public forum in Minneapolis. And helping pets can actually help patients, a Rochester non-profit hopes.

This week, Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development offered a look of the first six months of the new paid leave program; North Memorial and Sanford leaders made their case for a merger at a public forum, and big changes in the 340B drug pricing program were floated in Washington.

This week, Congress turned its focus again on Medicaid fraud, bringing in officials from Minnesota, California, New York and Ohio for a grilling. Also, RHTP isn't winning a lot of praise so far in Minnesota, and insurers in the MNCare marketplace tell the state they expect to post double-digit premium increases for a second straight year. It's an early indication of what's behind growing concern a...

This week, Fairview said it was leaving United Healthcare's Medicare Advantage network, as United Health Group's stock rallies and federal officials issued a critical report about UHC's prior authorization practices. Also, a new survey says Medicaid beneficiaries in Minnesota may be in for some unpleasant surprises, and Eli Lilly makes good on its threat to cut off 340B discounts.

This week: Minnesota's Department of Human Services disenrolled nearly half of the state's Medicaid providers last week, but reversed course amid concerns that disabled and vulnerable Minnesotans could lose services. Also, a new HHS report says for-profit Medicare Advantage providers have "unusual" prior authorization denials for post-hospital care; Keith Ellison held a listening session on the Sa...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published its proposed work requirement for Medicaid beneficiaries, prompting some quiet alarm among advocates for people with lung diseases, HIV and other conditions. The new rule may make "medical frailty" exemptions harder to obtain than many expected. Also, an influential right-leaning think tank is sharpening its attack on the ACA, after playing...

Minnesota's safety net of Federally Qualified Health Centers provide free or low cost health care to tens of thousands of patients, and some say the number of uninsured people coming through their doors is rising steadily. It's a potential early indicator of a spike in the state's uninsured population that providers are bracing for in 2027. Also, following a state rescue of HCMC, tiny Madelia Heal...

This week, a look back at the just-concluded legislative session, with a big rescue package for HCMC, and some money for other hospitals. But a 340B drug discount expansion that would have meant tens of millions of dollars in additional health funding fell short. Also, the Trump adminsitration expects to cut an additional $775 billion in Medicaid by 2035 -- on top of work and reenrollment requirem...

This week, the legislature agree to a $205 million rescue plan for HCMC, and set up what is planned to be a $500 million safety net for hospitals in the future -- which may be closer than people think. Also, beefed up 340B discount enforcement is making progress at the Capitol, and Minnesota is monitoring a hantavirus exposure as an outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship has sparked memories of the COVID...

The Minnesota House voted last night to approve this off-year's supplemental health budget. But the measure left more questions than answers for providers and patients, as the state braces for the impact of Medicaid changes in last year's One Big Beautiful Act. Also, Minnesota's Department of Human Services leadership switched this week -- twice. It came as scrutiny continued to grow on Medicaid f...

The Minnesota Senate passed a $150 million, two year rescue plan for HCMC this week, and included nearly $140 million in aid for other state hospitals. Alternative plans in the House are still unclear. Also, the Trump administration says it will freeze yet more Medicaid funding for the state following nearly two dozen fraud-related FBI raids around the Twin Cities this week. And a new "organ manuf...

This week: A response to the financial crisis at HCMC is starting to run out the clock at the Capitol; Gov. Tim Walz says Democrats have to come up with a health care solution to win; the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee hears about plans for a new state pediatric mental health facility and Minnesota hospitals counted up more than $6 billion in community benefit last year. Also, an inf...

The dire financial situation at Hennepin Healthcare dominated the health news in Minnesota this week, as lawmakers tried to figure out how to fill a $200 million budget gap at the hospital for 2026 -- lest the key care provider close. Also, scrutiny is growing on the University of Minnesota, even after likely resolution of the wind down of its existing partnership with Fairview. Pressure builds at...