Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Health and Human Services

TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Thursday, March 22, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

MINUTES


Representative Paul Thissen, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:20 P.M. on, Thursday, March 22, 2007 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

THISSEN, Paul (Chair)
FRITZ, Patti(Vice-Chair)
ABELER, Jim
ANDERSON, Bruce
BROD, Laura
BUNN, Julie
EMMER, Tom
FINSTAD, Brad
GOTTWALT, Steve
HAMILTON, Rod
HUNTLEY, Tom
LIEBLING, Tina
LOEFFLER, Diane
MURPHY, Erin
NORTON, Kim
OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
RUUD, Maria
THAO, Cy
TSCHUMPER, Ken
WALKER, Neva

A quorum was present.

Chair Thissen moved that HF609 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF609 (Loeffler) Food stamp requirements modified.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF1725 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF1725 (Moe) Leech Lake youth treatment center proposal grant provided, and money appropriated.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF173 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF173 (Erickson) Nursing facilities payment rates in specified counties increased to the geographic group III median rate.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF192 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF192 (Urdahl) Meeker County nursing facilities placed in geographic group II.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF221 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

Health and Human Services
Page 2
March 22, 2007



HF221 (Urdahl) Meeker County day training and habilitation provider rate reimbursement increased, and proposal required to address the disparity between providers across the state.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF663 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF663 (Urdahl) Nursing facility payment rates increased to the 60th percentile rate.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF915 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF915 (Ruth) Steele County nursing facilities payment rates increased to the geographic group III median rate.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF970 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF970 (Demmer) Dodge and other specified counties nursing facilities payment rates increased to the Olmsted County median rate.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF1075 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF1075 (Anzelc) Koochiching County nursing facility payment rates increased, and money appropriated.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF1580 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF1580 (Dettmer) Adult foster care and family adult day services license requirements modified.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF2254 be re-referred, without a recommendation, to the Committee on Finance.

HF2254 (Ruth) Waseca County nursing facility payment rates modified for services to ventilator-dependent persons.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Abeler moved that HF499 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF499 (Magnus) Chemical use assessments modified, and duties imposed on the commissioner
of human services related to chemical health.


Health and Human Services
Page 3
March 22, 2007



Providing testimony on the bill:

Joel Alter, Office of the Legislative Auditor

Rep. Abeler moved to amend HF499 as follows:

Page 2, line 24 after "alcohol" insert "and chemical substance"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Abeler moved the H0499A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Thissen moved to amend the H0499A1 amendment as follows:

Page 2, line 31 delete the line
Page 2, delete Section 7
Page 3, line 4 delete the line

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Loeffler moved to amend HF499, as amended, as follows:

Page 3, line 8 after "legislature" insert "after consulting with counties and other affected participants"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Abeler renewed his motion that HF499, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Walker moved that HF794, the division report, be adopted.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Walker moved that HF794 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF794 (Otremba) Division report

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Walker moved that HF913, the division report, be adopted.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen moved that HF913 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF913 (Thissen) Division report

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Walker moved that HF1590, the division report, be adopted.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Health and Human Services
Page 4
March 22, 2007


Rep. Walker moved that HF1590 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF1590 (Brynaert) Division report

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Thao moved that SF26, the subcommittee report, be adopted.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Thao moved that SF26 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.

SF26 (Thao) Subcommittee report

Rep. Thao moved to amend SF26 as follows:

Page 3, line19 at end of the line insert "certified registered nurse anesthetists"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Walker moved the S0026A7 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Abeler moved the S0026A5 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Abeler moved the S0026A6 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Thao renewed his motion that SF26, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Otremba moved that HF594 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF594 (Otremba) Medical assistance nonemergency medical transportation competitive bidding modified, level of need criteria specified, and reimbursement rate increased.

Chair Thissen moved to amend HF594 as follows:

Page 3, line 20 after the period insert "Sec. 4. The Commissioner shall present a plan to the legislature by January 15, 2008, regarding the need for and recommended mechanisms for supplementing rates in counties with population density lower than 75% of the median population density for counties in the state."

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony in support of the bill:

Jan Rores, President, Special Transportation Association
David Wattson, Methodist Hospital
John Huet
Michael Widener

Vice Chair Fritz assumed the gavel at 3:25 P.M.

Providing testimony in opposition to the bill:

Health and Human Services
Page 5
March 22, 2007


Chris Reisdorf, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Stan Pease, General Manager, Advanced Care Transportation

Chair Thissen assumed the gavel at 3:30 P.M.

Rep. Otremba moved to amend HF594 as follows:

Page 2, line 13 after comma insert "Licensed Practical Nurse,"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Otremba moved the H0594A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Otremba renewed her motion that HF594, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen announced a recess at 4:00 P.M.

Chair Thissen reconvened the meeting at 5:10 P.M. in room 10 of the State Office Building.

Rep. Huntley moved that HF1984 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF1984 (Huntley) Pharmacies authorized to accept return of unused drugs and medical devices from county jails and juvenile correctional facilities.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Lynn Theura, Winona County Community Services Administrator
Dr. Cody Wiberg, Board of Pharmacy

Rep. Huntley moved the A07-0367 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Norton moved to amend the A07-0367 amendment as follows:

Page 1, line 2 before "unopened" insert "and redispense" and insert a comma after "unopened"
Page 1, line 4 after "delivery" insert "and storage"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Huntley renewed his motion that HF1984, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Huntley moved that HF1719 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF1719 (Huntley) Medical assistance eligibility treatment of assets modified.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Julian Zweber

Rep. Huntley moved to amend HF1719 as follows:

Page 2, line 1 reinstate "assets that exceed this allowance shall be considered available to the institutionalized spouse."

Health and Human Services
Page 6
March 22, 2007



THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Huntley renewed his motion that HF1719, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Rep. Huntley moved that HF683 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF683 (Huntley) Affordable health care right for every resident established, and constitutional amendment proposed.

Providing testimony in opposition to the bill:

Beth Hartwig, Minnesota Business Partnership

Rep. Huntley renewed his motion that HF683 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Vice Chair Fritz assumed the gavel at 6:45 P.M.

Rep. Walker moved that HF479 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

HF 479 (Walker) Universal health care system provided, preventive care and early intervention focus required, cost reductions and comprehensive benefits provided, and plan implementation by 2010 required.

Rep. Walker moved the H0479DE1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Eileen Weber, Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition

Rep. Gottwalt moved to amend the H0479DE1 amendment as follows:

Page 1, line 14 delete "proposed legislation" and insert "a report"
Page 1, line 15 after "2008" delete rest of paragraph and insert a period
Page 1, line 18 delete Subdivision 2

Rep. Gottwalt requested a roll call vote.

The results were as follows:


AYE NAY EXCUSED

ANDERSON, Bruce BUNN, Julie THISSEN, Paul
EMMER, Tom FRITZ, Patti ABELER, Jim
FINSTAD, Brad LIEBLING, Tina BROD, Laura
GOTTWALT, Steve LOEFFLER, Diane HAMILTON, Rod
MURPHY, Erin HUNTLEY, Tom
NORTON, Kim OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
RUUD, Maria
THAO, Cy
TSCHUMPER, Ken
WALKER, Neva


On a vote of 4 AYES and 19 NAYS THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Health and Human Services
Page 7
March 22, 2007



Rep. Emmer moved to amend the H0479DE1 amendment as follows:

Change "Universal Health Care" to "Government Health Care"

THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Rep. Loeffler assumed the gavel at 7:20 P.M.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Beth Hartwig, Minnesota Business Partnership

Rep. Walker renewed her motion that HF479, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Rep. Gottwalt requested a roll call vote.

The results were as follows:


AYE NAY EXCUSED

LIEBLING, Tina ANDERSON, Bruce THISSEN, Paul
LOEFFLER, Diane FINSTAD, Brad ABELER, Jim
MURPHY, Erin GOTTWALT, Steve BROD, Laura
NORTON, Kim BUNN, Julie
THAO, Cy EMMER, Tom
TSCHUMPER, Ken FRITZ, Patti
WALKER, Neva HAMILTON, Rod
HUNTLEY, Tom
OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
RUUD, Maria



On a vote of 7 AYES and 3 NAYS THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 P.M.


Rep. Paul Thissen, CHAIR



Urszula Gryska
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

HF609 (Loeffler) Food stamp requirements modified. (For re-referral only)
HF1725 (Moe) Leech Lake youth treatment center proposal grant provided, and money appropriated. (For re-referral only)
HF173 (Erickson) Nursing facilities payment rates in specified counties increased to the geographic group III median rate. (For re-referral only)
HF192 (Urdahl) Meeker County nursing facilities placed in geographic group II. (For re-referral only)
HF221 (Urdahl) Meeker County day training and habilitation provider rate reimbursement increased, and proposal required to address the disparity between providers across the state. (For re-referral only)
HF663 (Urdahl) Nursing facility payment rates increased to the 60th percentile rate. (For re-referral only)
HF915 (Ruth) Steele County nursing facilities payment rates increased to the geographic group III median rate. (For re-referral only)
HF970 (Demmer) Dodge and other specified counties nursing facilities payment rates increased to the Olmsted County median rate. (For re-referral only)
HF1075 (Anzelc) Koochiching County nursing facility payment rates increased, and money appropriated. (For re-referral only)
HF1580 (Dettmer) Adult foster care and family adult day services license requirements modified. (For re-referral only)
HF2254 (Ruth) Waseca County nursing facility payment rates modified for services to ventilator-dependent persons. (For re-referral only)
HF794 (Otremba) modifying medical assistance coverage to include consultations with psychologists; increasing the medical assistance reimbursement rate for critical access mental health services (division report)
HF913 (Thissen) waiving the moratorium regarding beds and expending group residential housing supplemental rates (division report)
HF1590 (Brynaert) authorizing a Regional Children's Mental Health Initiative pilot project; developing an enhanced regional children's mental health service system (division report)
SF26 (Thao) Medical practices board advisory councils expiration dates elimination (subcommittee report)
HF499 (Magnus) Chemical use assessments modified, and duties imposed on the commissioner of Human Services related to chemical health.
HF594 (Otremba) Medical assistance nonemergency medical transportation competitive bidding modified, level of need criteria specified, and reimbursement rate increased.
HF1984 (Huntley) Pharmacies authorized to accept return of unused drugs and medical devices from county jails and juvenile correctional facilities.
HF1719 (Huntley) Medical assistance eligibility treatment of assets modified.
More Info On This Meeting..

HF683 (Huntley) Affordable health care right for every resident established, and constitutional amendment proposed.
HF 479 (Walker) Universal health care system provided, preventive care and early intervention focus required, cost reductions and comprehensive benefits provided, and plan implementation by 2010 required.
HF1656 (Thissen) Jewelry products containing lead manufacture and sale regulated.
HF2177 (Bunn) has been removed from the agenda