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Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight

THIRTY-FIRST MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES POLICY AND OVERSIGHT
Chair, Representative Paul Thissen

MINUTES


Representative Paul Thissen, Chair of the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:50 P.M. on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

THISSEN, Paul (Chair)
LIEBLING, Tina (Vice-Chair)
ABELER, Jim
BROD, Laura
BUNN, Julie
EMMER, Tom
FRITZ, Patti
GARDNER, Paul
GOTTWALT, Steve
HAYDEN, Jeff
HUNTLEY, Tom
KELLY, Tim
LAINE, Carolyn
LOEFFLER, Diane
MACK, Tara
MURPHY, Erin
NORTON, Kim
RUUD, Maria
THAO, Cy
TORKELSON, Paul




A quorum was present.

Representative Laine moved that the minutes of March 18, 2009 and March 19, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1728 (Loeffler) Provisions amended for child care programs, program integrity, adult supports including general assistance medical care and group residential housing and Minnesota family investment program

Representative Loeffler moved that HF1728 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division.

Representative Loeffler moved the H1728A3 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Ruud moved the H1728A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Ann Sessoms, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Representative Loeffler renewed her motion that HF1728, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Liebling assumed the gavel at 3:05 P.M.

HF1322 (Thissen) Health information technology incentive requirements created for the use of federal funding, legislative approval required, and federal fund appropriation limited

Representative Thissen moved that HF1322 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Civil Justice.

Representative Thissen moved the H1322DE2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS

Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
March 24, 2009
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ADOPTED.

Representative Thissen moved to amend HF1322, as amended, as follows:

Page 7, line 12, delete "or general obligation"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony on the bill:

James Golden, Minnesota Department of Health

Representative Thissen renewed his motion that HF1322, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Civil Justice. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

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

HF264 (Clark) Health insurance coverage of durable medical equipment required to include coverage of items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms, and state health care program coverage required for certain items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms

Representative Thissen moved that HF264 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Representative Clark presented the bill.

Providing information on the bill

Pat Adams, Minnesota Department of Health
Laura Oatman, Minnesota Department of Health

Providing testimony in support of the bill:

Eliza Schell, Healthy Homes Grant Manager, City of Minneapolis
Valerie Martinez, Parent
Kay Kufahl, Managing Director, In-Home Asthma Management, Pediatric Home Service

Representative Thissen moved to amend HF264 as follows:

Page 1, line 14, after "if" insert "medically"
Page 2, line 12, after "is" insert "medically"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Thissen moved to amend HF264, as amended, as follows:

Page 1, delete section 1
Page 2, line 8, after "(b)" insert "For individuals under age 21,"
Page 2, delete section 3

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony in opposition to the bill:

Dannette Coleman, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, Medica, Minnesota Council of Health Plans

Representative Thissen renewed his motion that HF264, as amended, be recommended to pass

Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
March 24, 2009
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and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1709 (Hosch) Child welfare provisions changed

Representative Thissen moved that HF1709 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Civil Justice.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Christeen Borsheim, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Representative Thissen renewed his motion that HF1709 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Civil Justice. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Liebling assumed the gavel at 4:12 P.M.

HF1889 (Thissen) Public employees authorized to buy into the state long-term care insurance program

Representative Thissen moved that HF1889 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Lona Schreiber, Anoka County
Keith Carlson, MICA
Nathan Rocco

Representative Thissen renewed his motion that HF1889 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Liebling called a recess at 4:20 P.M.

Representative Thissen reconvened the meeting at 6:40 P.M.

HF551 (Kalin) Predatory offender risk-level assessment process amended, penalties increased, and training required regarding predatory offenders for those who care for children and vulnerable adults

Representative Abeler moved that HF551 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance with a recommended re-referral to the Committee on Public Safety Finance Division.

Representative Kalin presented the bill.

Representative Abeler moved the H0551A2 amendment with the following change:

Page 1, line 11, after "center" insert "operated by the Commissioner of Human Services"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Thissen renewed the motion that HF551, as amended, be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance with a recommended re-referral to the Committee on Public Safety Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
March 24, 2009
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HF1334 (Gunther) Medical assistance treatment of life insurance policies modified, nursing facility rate modified for private paying residents, and payment authorized for long-term care employer health insurance costs

Representative Thissen moved that HF1334 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Representative Thissen moved the H1334A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Gunther presented the bill:

Providing testimony on the bill:

Kari Thurlow, Vice President of Advocacy, Aging Services of Minnesota
Bob Held, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Kim Carolan, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Providing testimony in opposition to the bill:

Deb Holtz, State Ombudsman for Long Term Care
Mark Wandersee, Executive Director, Elder Care Rights Alliance
Karina Allen, Senior

HF 1334, as amended, was laid over.

HF1811 (Slawik) Autism Spectrum Disorder Task force created, appointments provided, and report required

Representative Thissen moved that HF1811 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Thissen moved the H1811A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Brad Trahan, Executive Director RT Autism Awareness Foundation, Inc

Representative Bunn moved to amend HF1811, as amended, as follows:

Page 3, after line 8, insert "(h) This section expires June 30, 2011."

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing additional testimony on the bill:

Kathryn Kmit, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Heidi Hamilton, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Representative Thissen renewed and amended his motion that HF1811, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1832 (Huntley) State medical review team process modified, annual report required, money appropriated

Representative Huntley moved that HF1832 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the

Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
March 24, 2009
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Committee on Finance.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Anne Quincy, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis

Representative Huntley moved the H1832A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Huntley renewed his motion that HF1832, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1561 (Huntley) Hennepin County; Special transportation services pilot program established, and advisory committee established

Representative Huntley moved that HF1561 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division.

Representative Liebling assumed the gavel at 8:25 P.M.

Providing testimony on the bill:

Buck McAlpin, President, Minnesota Ambulance Association
O.J. Doyle, Minnesota Ambulance Association
Geoff Bartsh, Health Partners

Representative Huntley renewed his motion that HF1561 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1646 (Huntley) Prescription drug prior authorization required for medical assistance payment

Representative Huntley moved that HF1646 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Representative Huntley moved the H1646A1 amendment with the following changes:

Page 1, line 2, delete the line and insert "Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:"
Page 2, line 12, delete the line
Page 2, line 13, delete "3" and insert "2"
Page 3, line 6, delete the line

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony in opposition to the bill:

Dave Renner, Director, State & Federal Legislation, Minnesota Medical Association
Geoff Bartsh, Health Partners

Representative Huntley renewed his motion that HF1646, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF884 (Thissen) Medical supplies and equipment purchasing alliance created

Representative Thissen moved that HF884 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections.

Representative Thissen moved to amend HF884 as follows:

Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
March 24, 2009
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Page 1, line 9, delete "finance" and insert "administration"

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Providing testimony of the bill:

Kent Allen, Department of Administration

Representative Thissen renewed his motion that HF884, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.


Rep. Paul Thissen, CHAIR


Urszula Gryska
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
House TV Video:
View Archive

01:55 - Gavel.
02:43 - HF1728 (Loeffler) Provisions amended for child care programs, program integrity, adult supports including general assistance medical care and group residential housing and Minnesota family investment program.
14:34 - HF1322 (Thissen) Health information technology incentive requirements created for the use of federal funding, legislative approval required, and federal fund appropriation limited.
40:45 - HF264 (Clark) Health insurance coverage of durable medical equipment required to include coverage of items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms, and state health care program coverage required for certain items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms.
1:14:02 - HF1709 (Hosch) Child welfare provisions changed.
1:25:00 - HF1889 (Thissen) Public employees authorized to buy into the state long-term care insurance program.
The committee went in to recess.
Runs 1 hour, 33 minutes.


HF1728 (Loeffler) Provisions amended for child care programs, program integrity, adult supports including general assistance medical care and group residential housing and Minnesota family investment program
HF1709 (Hosch) Child welfare provisions changed
HF264 (Clark) Health insurance coverage of durable medical equipment required to include coverage of items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms, and state health care program coverage required for certain items necessary to reduce asthma symptoms
HF1334 (Gunther) Medical assistance treatment of life insurance policies modified, nursing facility rate modified for private paying residents, and payment authorized for long-term care employer health insurance costs
HF551 (Kalin) Predatory offender risk-level assessment process amended, penalties increased, and training required regarding predatory offenders for those who care for children and vulnerable adults
HF1811 (Slawik) Autism Spectrum Disorder Task force created, appointments pr