Omnibus health finance bill advances narrowly in Ways and Means Committee

A bill to bring the state into alignment with the Medicaid cuts, changes and restrictions included in HR1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” awaits action by the full House.

Included in the omnibus health finance bill, the language would primarily bring the state into alignment with the federal law.

As amended, HF4466 was approved 15-13 by the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday, with Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley) reluctantly crossing party lines to offer support.

Bierman said the changes included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will set healthcare in the state back a decade, but he believes the state needs to be in federal compliance. “I am neither pleased nor enthused to be one of its chief authors of this in its current state. The bill is less than modest in its proposals and does not address key healthcare needs in this state that our people need and deserve.”

Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley), who co-chairs the House Health Finance and Policy Committee with Bierman, is not “head over heels” with having to conform, but the state is required to “fall in line” with the federal bill or it risks being out of compliance and losing $3.5 to $4 billion a year.

[MORE: Health finance bill would prioritize compliance with federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’]

As the bill advances, Bierman said he hopes it can be modified to better fit the needs of Minnesotans.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) said the state is “being forced to do the federal government’s dirty work” and therefore would not support the bill.

Outdated technology used by counties to enroll Medicaid recipients has been a major issue brought to legislators this session. Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Mpls) said he is concerned that the budget bill does not currently address improved technology.

Backer agrees and hopes that can still be addressed. “It’s no different than at the end of a semester in college. Sometimes they’re pushed to get work done.”