NAMI Legislative Update
March 15, 2015
Take Action This Week!
It's going to be a busy week for mental health advocates at the capitol! Friday is the first
deadline so if a bill is to stay "alive" it needs to be heard in policy committees in at least one
side. A number of bills that we care about will be heard this week, and more are sure
to be added. We need you to call or email your legislators immediately urging them to
support the bills.
Earlier today, we sent out an action alert about the Ways and Means Committee making
decisions about how much money will go to each area of the budget. If you have not emailed or
called your legislator if he or she serves on that committee by now, please do so at once.
On Monday the Senate Commerce Committee will hear SF 934 which will make prior
authorization more transparent and would make sure that if you switched plans you wouldn't
have to go through step therapy (starting with the oldest and cheapest medication and "failing"
on it before trying the next one) if you are on antidepressants or antipsychotics. Click here to
see who is on the Commerce Committee and if your legislator is, please call or email him/her
and urge their support for this bill.
On Monday the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee will hear SF 716 (Sen
Eaton) which expands peer specialists, funds ICRS, has Medical Assistance fund
clubhouses, funds first episode programs and supportive housing. On Wednesday, the
committee will hear SF 748, which would allow psychologists to be the lead provider in
behavioral health homes.
On Tuesday at 2:45 pm in room 200 of the State Office Building, the House Health and Human
Services Reform Committee will hear the companion to SF 716, HF 1063 (Backer); HF 1209
(Barrett) the suicide prevention bill; HF 1447 (Kiel) which would fund psychiatric residency
slots and other mental health practicums; HF 1653 (Baker) which would fund the more
intensive children's residential facilities calls PRTFs. If you have time, please come down and
show your support! Wear a NAMI button or bring your scarf from Day on the Hill. Let the
legislators know that people support funding for mental health!
On Wednesday this committee will hear HF 783 (Cornish) which provides a higher penalty if
someone at the MN Security Hospital hurts and employee; HF 1350 (Norton) which increases
funds for nonemergency medical transportation providers and funds protected transport; HF
1073 (Backer) which eliminates the word "constant" from the CFSS/PCA program and HF 1609
(McDonald) which would allow psychologists to be the lead provider in behavioral health
homes.
On Wednesday the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division will hear SF 1152 (Eken)
which funds the text message suicide program and SF 705 which increase Medical Assistance
rates for mental health professionals. On Wednesday, the House Health and Human Services
Finance Committee will hear HF 1439 (Loeffler) which increases Medical Assistance rates for
mental health providers. Also on Wednesday the Senate Environment, Economic Development
and Agriculture Budget Division will hear SF 456 which includes funding for the Bridges
Housing program.
If your legislator is on these committees, please take a minute to call in or email sending the
message "Please support HF/SF - they are important to me as person who lives with a mental
illness/is a family member/work in the field.
Click to see who is on the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, Senate
Health and Human Services Budget Division, House Health and Human Services Reform
Committee, House Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
Day on the Hill a Success!
On Thursday, five hundred people came together in St Paul for Mental Health Day on the
Hill. They came to urge legislators to support policies that will improve Minnesota's mental
health system. Individuals living with mental illnesses, their families and friends as well as
several high school students, mental health professionals and providers all turned out to push
for increased funding for mental health treatment and services. People traveled from all corners
of the state to attend including Winona, Rochester, Kerkoven, Willmar, Litchfield, Cokato, Fergus
Falls, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Cloquet, North Branch, Pine City, Wyoming, Baxter, Little
Falls, St. Cloud and the metro area.
Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota, kicked it off by highlighting the strong
tradition of Mental Health Legislative Network advocacy and noting its history of "30 years of
bringing people together to raise their voices, 30 years of working to improve the mental health
system."
The theme of the day was "We know what works; Let's build on it!" Attendees were given
scarves with that saying and every legislator received a mini-construction hat with that same
saying. Sue explained that the construction hats are a symbol representing the need to build
the mental health system. She said, "Our mental health systemisn't broken, it's never been
built." Sue said, "We want to focus on what works today." She encouraged the crowd to ask
their legislators to expand effective services.
Shannah Mulvihill, the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota and the
Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network welcomed the crowd and thanked them for making
the extra effort to make their voices heard.
Bill Conley, with Fraser, provided information on how the budget is set and how important it is
to make sure that health and human services gets a big enough piece of the "pie."
Claire Wilson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Community Mental Health
Programs addressed the crowd saying "everybody should have access to the right level of care",
she talked about the needs for greater rates, access and insurance coverage for crisis
teams. Ben Ashley-Wurtman, Policy and Outreach Associate with the Mental Health Association
provided information on adult mental health services, including adding clubhouses to Medical
Assistance.
Mary Regan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies provided
information about the many provisions affecting children and their families such as PRTFs,
respite care and homeless youth.
Dan Evans, Public Policy Director for NAMI provided information on funding proposals for
housing and employment. Patricia Siebert provided information on efforts to decrease
spenddowns and MA-EPD premiums. Sue Abderholden provided some information about the
suicide bills.
Jode Freyholtz-London, Executive Director of Wellness in the Woods, spoke in strong support for
24/7 mental health crisis services. She told the crowd "we don't get to choose when our crises
happen; we need mobile crisis teams across Minnesota." She explained how crisis teams are
the only appropriate response for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Representative Tina Liebling told the crowd "we cannot afford to leave anyone behind." She
continued "we need services that are accessible, are appropriate, and as close to home as
possible." She finished by saying "what happens to any of us, really does happen to all of us."
Kim Lutes with the Mental Health Association spoke to the importance of employment and
bringing down MA-EPD premiums. Matt Burdick, Legislative and Stakeholder Relations for
Chemical and Mental Health Services at the Department of Human Services, provided a brief
overview of what is in the Governor's budget.
Larry Jones spoke about the importance of clubhouses and Melissa Balitz spoke to the need to
be able to access services when someone needs them.
Sue ended the rally urging the crowd to "finish the job" of building the mental health
system. She concluded with "we know what works, let's build on it."
Thanks to everyone who came out and made the day a great success. Your efforts and your
advocacy make a huge difference! Please check out all the great tweets from legislative visits
during 2015 Mental Health Day on the Hill.
Press Conference Held
A press conference was held on Tuesday to express support for building on the foundation of
Minnesota's mental health system. Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota,
remarked, "Many say that we have a broken system of mental health care. Frankly, our mental
health system was never built. We have spent the past ten years building the foundation for
home and community-based services and supports, crisis services, and intensive services. We
now know what works. We need to complete what we started and finish building our mental
health system."
Rep. Matt Dean (R) stated, "I want to say thanks to the advocates for really pushing mental
health as a priority for 2015 this session. I also want to say thanks to the Governor's office and
the Governor for really prioritizing mental health. The area of mental health is one of those
areas that we can come together around and agree that we want to work on. We're excited
about the bills ahead."
Sen. Tony Lourey (D) commented, "For mental health we really do know what works. We've
done a lot of pilots and projects. We know what works. We haven't invested in making sure that
what works is available around the state and that's what this package that we're bringing
forward is going to focus on, is building a network, an infrastructure to make that available
statewide."
"The initiatives this year that we are working on and supporting really fit into the category of
filling in gaps in services with investments that we know work and will create better outcomes, "
said Sen. Kathy Sheran (D).
Over 30 bills have been introduced this year between the house and the senate that would
improve access to effective services, expand our mental health workforce, provide support to
families of children with mental illnesses, provide housing and employment supports, expand
access to home and community based supports, expand access to crisis services, earlier
intervention and intensive services and increase our efforts to prevent suicide.
Addressing the mental health workforce shortage, MayKao Y. Hang, President and CEO of the
Wilder Foundation remarked, "We need to build a highly competent, culturally representative
workforce that understands low-income populations, populations of color, immigrant populations
and kids."
Rep. Bob Barrett (R), author of a bill on suicide prevention this session, said, "This year I want
the legislature to take action to decrease the numbers of suicides. This includes expanding our
suicide prevention programs to teach teachers, firefighters, peace officers, primary care
providers, coaches and others about the warning signs of suicide and actions they can take to
recognize mental illness when it happens."
Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association which represents 143
health systems & hospitals throughout the state, remarked, "I think the good news today is that
the stigma long associated with discussing mental health is slowly and surely going away. And
we applaud Gov. Dayton, NAMI and the Mental Health Legislative Network for making it ok to
talk about, and acknowledge and treat mental health."
Also speaking at the press conference were DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, Rep. Dave Baker
(R), Sen. Chris Eaton (D), Kim Lutes from the Mental Health Association of Minnesota, and
Wendy Waddell, Director of Inpatient Mental Health Care at Regions Hospital.
Letters of support for funding mental health, especially crisis teams, came from the MN Hospital
Association, MN Medical Association, MN Psychological Association, MN Society of Clinical Social
Workers, Northeast Metro District 916, Mental Health Crisis Alliance, Wellness in the Woods,
American Academy of Pediatrics, Home for All, MN Association of Community Mental Health
Programs, NASW, Ramsey County, MN Association of County Social Service Administrators, Vail
Place, Resource, Hennepin County, Mental Health Association of MN, MN Council of Child Caring
Agencies,
Read the MinnPost article or this opinion piece by Lori Sturdevant.
Committee Hearings
Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division Committee
On Tuesday, the Health and Human Services Budget Division heard SF 63 (Eken) which would
allow Medical Assistance coverage for primary care consultations with licensed independent
clinical social workers and licensed marriage and family therapists.
Senator Eken talked about the "skill and training" these professionals can offer to primary care
to improve access to mental health care. Bill Strusinski, lobbyist for the MN Society for Clinical
Social Work testified in support for the bill.
Amanda Richards, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), representing the Minnesota
Counseling Association, asked to have LPCCs added to the bill since they are mental health
professionals as well. Senator Eken responded that he wasn't opposed to including LPCC's but
first there needed to be a fiscal note. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus
bill.
The committee met on Tuesday to hear SF 3 (Clausen), which expands the loan forgiveness
program to mental health professionals. Sue Abderholden testified to the bill stating how
important it is to expand our workforce in order to expand access to mental health services.
David Lee, executive director of Woodland Centers and representing the MN Association of
Community Mental Health Programs, also testified in favor of the bill pointing to the need for
more mental health professionals in rural Minnesota. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion
in the omnibus bill.
Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee
The committee heard SF 1426 (Clausen) which would provide residency slots for primary care
and psychiatry and would fund clinical training programs for health care and mental health
care training programs. Dr. George Realmuto, professor of psychiatry at the U of M spoke in
favor of the bill noting that we have barely half or the psychiatrists that are needed in Minnesota
and that the state needs to step in to address this. The bill passed and was rereferred to the
Senate Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
The committee then heard SF 702 (Sheran) which would require people who are committed as
"mentally ill and dangerous" to be reviewed by the special review board every three years
and would require the review board to summarize the barriers to people 's recovery. Sue
Abderholden testified for the bill, providing information about the task force that created these
recommendations. The bill passed and was rereferred to Judiciary.
Later on Monday night, the committee heard SF 717 (Eaton) which funds mobile crisis teams
and crisis beds, along with requiring private insurance to cover services. It was the last bill on
the agenda, and the hour was late. Sue Abderholden with NAMI said she understood that people
were tired and wanted to go home but the bill before them was probably one of the most
important ones affecting people with mental illnesses and their families this year. She went on
to provide information about the effectiveness of crisis teams and beds. She provided
information about Hennepin's team where in 2014 they answered over 16,000 calls from over
5,000 people. Hospitalization was prevented in 70% of the interventions with adults and 91%
with children.
Claire Wilson, with the MN Association of Community Mental Health Programs, also testified in
favor of the bill. Senator Eaton provided final comments stating that the use of crisis teams
prevents not only hospitalizations but also being jailed. The bill passed and was rereferred to the
Commerce Committee.
On Wednesday night, the committee heard SF 934 (Franzen) brought forward by the MN Medical
Association. The bill would make health plans formularies and prior authorization policies
more transparent, not allow plans to make formulary changes during a year, and require a plan
to continue covering a person's antipsychotic or antidepressant for a new enrollee and not make
the person go through step therapy.
Dr. George Schoephoerster spoke at length about the problems with prior authorization and the
impact on patients. Kellie Carlson shared her personal story of living with arthritis and not being
able to obtain her medications and the higher costs personally and financially because of
that. Sue Abderholden testified in favor of the bill pointing out how difficult it can be to find the
right medications and how devastating it can be to have to switch medications simply because
your changed plans.
There were several people testifying against the bill, mainly people from benefit management
companies and health plans. The committee passed the bill and rereferred it to the Commerce
Committee.
The committee also heard SF 1292 (Sheran) that increases rates for nonemergency medical
transportation providers and fund protected transport. Sue Abderholden testified as the chair
of the NEMT task force. The bill passed and was rereferred to the Transportation Committee.
Senate Education Committee
On Monday morning, the Senate Education Committee heard SF 1002 (Hoffman) that requires
paraprofessionals to have specific training to serve the unique and individual needs of each
of these students.
Alex, a student, spoke in support of the bill. He talked about his experiences as a student where
some paraprofessionals were very patient with him and greatly supported his progress. He said
there were also many others that did not understand the unique challenges he faced and were
difficult to work with. Alex mentioned that this was the 25th Anniversary of the American
Disabilities Act, and asked that the committee support SF 1002 to help students with disabilities
succeed.
Grace Kelleher of the Minnesota School Boards Association expressed concerns that the bill may
make the training standards too high for educational paraprofessionals. The bill was laid over
for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
The committee also heard SF 740 (Pratt). The bill requires school districts to contract only with
vendors that use a universal filing system for online case management systems for IEPs and
eliminates the requirement that districts use the system that the Minnesota Department of
Education is developing. After extended testimony there was significant difference of opinion
over SF 740, it was rereferred to Judiciary without a recommendation.
The Senate committee heard SF 1001 (Hoffman) which would make it more difficult for
schools to suspend students. Many special education students are suspended, especially
those children in EBD classrooms. In in the 2013-2014 school year, over 43,000 students were
suspended or expelled (a child could be counted twice in this data). Nearly 9,000 were in grades
K-5.
Barb Ziemke from Pacer testified first about the main points of the bill. NAMI Minnesota's
executive director, Sue Abderholden, testified for the bill stating that for young students to have
done something so egregious that they were suspended it was critically important to look at the
underlying causes. A child could have been exposed to trauma or have the early symptoms of a
mental illness. The symptoms can come out as aggression, lack of self-control, opposition to
parents or teachers, lack of remorse, etc. Suspending a child that young does not teach them
anything. We need instead to look at alternatives such as social emotional learning, mental
health treatment, etc.
Darren Kermes, a special ed director also spoke in favor of the bill. The bill passed out of the
committee with the promise to work with the organizations that had concerns with the bill,
including the MN School Board Association and MN Principals. A meeting has occurred and NAMI
feels that there will be an agreement early next week.
Senate Environment, Economic Development, and Agriculture Budget Division
The committee heard SF 1006 (Tomassoni) which increases funding for the IPS employment
program. Three people testified for the bill. Sue Abderholden testified about the benefits of this
evidence-based employment program. Two people who have been assisted by IPS, Jamie and
Patricia, provided eloquent and impactful testimony about how work helped in their recovery,
the importance of employment to their self-esteem and financial stability, and how they loved
their jobs. Natasha Olson from RISE provided additional information about how the IPS program
works. The bill passed and was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Senate Judiciary
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary committee heard SF 1078. This bill would allow the county
social workers to share data with health care social workers provided they had patient
consent. The bill was amended during the meeting to make the need for patient consent for
information sharing clearer in the language. The bill is intended to help the county do a better
job connecting people with services when they are homeless, highly mobile, or in and out of
inpatient health care settings.
Senator Champion and Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene spoke in favor of the
bill. Senator Champion emphasized that the bill would allow for better care coordination. The
bill was passed and referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
On Thursday, SF 994 (Latz) on juvenile justice provisions was discussed. The bill provides 1)
grants to establish alternatives to juvenile detention programs; 2) specifies that when
youth are tried as adults, the court does not need to observe mandatory minimum sentences; 3)
Gives police officers the ability to send youth who had committed non-violent offenses to
diversion programs instead of juvenile detention; and 4) Would prevent the use of restraints on
a youth appearing in court, unless the youth has a history of disruptive or recent violent
behavior. The first provision was deleted since it would cost money.
Senator Hall was concerned that the proposed restriction on the use of restraints may cause
problems for the court if a child was "out of control." Jim Franklin, Executive Director of the
Minnesota Sheriff's Association, shared concerns that the new language may not provide enough
protection for the people in court, including the youth.
In response to these concerns two oral amendments were adopted. The first amendment
expands the courts basis for putting a youth in restraints to when there was "disruptive
behavior" while being in police custody for any previous offense. An additional amendment from
Senator Hall was adopted allowing the court to be provided with a child's "behavioral history" to
inform their consideration of the use of restraints. The bill was recommended to pass and will
go to the Senate floor.
Later in the afternoon the Judiciary committee heard SF 1356 (Sheran), the Department of
Human Services Policy bill. Several amendments were discussed including one that clarified the
tracking of trips under nonemergency medical transportation and the other amendment
added coaching and counseling to the list of covered PCA services. The bill was recommended
to pass and referred to the full senate.
On Friday morning, the Senate Judiciary committee discussed SF 498. This bill would regulate
the use of body cameras by the police. This bill touches on many important privacy, law
enforcement, and technical issues. The two hour meeting offered many parties the opportunity
to respond to the bill. NAMI's interest in the bill is that we are concerned that any video of
police handling a mental health crisis could be made public to anyone, not just the involved
person or his/her attorney. Several amendments were offered but not passed. Senator Latz will
have an additional hearing on SF 498 next week in Senate Judiciary.
The committee heard SF 702, which would require an automatic review by the special review
board at least every three years for people committed as mentally ill and dangerous. In
addition, the special review board would track the barriers that people are facing to their
recovery. The bill passed and was rereferred to the Finance Committee.
Senate Transportation Committee
SF 1292 (Sheran), the bill funding Nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) and protected
transport, was heard in the senate transportation committee on Friday. Sue Abderholden spoke
in favor of the bill. The senate bill passed and was sent to finance.
House Transportation Committee
HF 1350 (Norton), regarding NEMT was heard in the House Transportation and Policy
Committee. Sue Abderholden testified for the bill. The house bill was sent to Health and Human
Services Reform Committee.
House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy met. The
committee heard HF 1180 (O'Neill) that funds the expansion of specialty courts.
William Leary III, a Ramsey County District Court Judge, testified in favor of the bill. Judge
Leary works with the Ramsey County Mental Health Court and has seen its effectiveness.
He said that these specialty courts help to reduce "the level of crime, the cost to our judicial
system (as well as our public safety system) and also, as a byproduct, help people get on with
their lives in a productive way." Rep. O'Neill also spoke to the effectiveness of the specialty
courts, citing reductions in repeat offenses and jail time for those who have been through the
problem solving courts in Ramsey County.
Kim Bingham, the Assistant Ramsey County Attorney, also testified in support of the bill. She
highlighted national drug court research showing that, for every one dollar invested by
taxpayers in drug courts, we save $3.36. She suggested that money is needed "to identify the
appropriate high risk, high need clients" that would benefit from evidence-based specialty court
services. HF 1180 was laid over for potential inclusion in the omnibus bill.
House Education Committee
The committee met on Thursday night and heard HF 964 (Wills). Rep. Wills offered an
amendment that deleted the three sections that were of concern to NAMI and other special
education advocates. The sections that were deleted would have required an independent
analysis of where state law exceeds federal and would have allowed districts to not follow state
law if it exceeded federal. One area where MN law exceeds federal is our early intervention law
where services begin as soon as a child is identified as having a disability and all the
requirements governing the use of seclusion and restraints. Sue Abderholden briefly testified,
thanking Rep Wills addressing our concerns.
House Health and Human Services Finance Committee
This committee heard the Home4all bill, which includes funds for long-term homelessness
and supportive housing for people with mental illnesses. Sue Abderholden testified for the
bill on behalf of NAMI and HearthConnection, providing information about how the funding is
used. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
House Health and Human Services Reform
On Wednesday the committee heard HF 1088 (ONeill) that creates patient care zones and
increases crimes related to drugs and violence when these act are committed in them. There
was quite a bit of discussion with some members wondering how to prevent rather than to just
respond to violence and other worried that we would be criminalizing symptoms related to
dementia or mental illnesses.
Representative Loeffler stated that the bar for not guilty by reason of insanity is very high in our
state and she expressed concern that people in our care facilities should not have to be
concerned with being thrown in jail. The bill was passed and referred to House Public Safety &
Prevention.
On Friday the committee heard HF 1246 (Mack) which would expand coverage for telemedicine
and it heard HF 604 (Baker) which would increase funding for chemical dependency
providers. Rep Baker shared his family's story - his son overdosed and died - and said, "no one
wakes up wanting to be an addict." He provided powerful testimony for support of his own bill.
Heidi Kammer from Resource provided excellent testimony as well. The bill passed and was
rereferred to Finance.
It also heard HF 1011 (Albright) which would allow physician assistants (PA) to bill Medical
Assistance for medication management and evaluation and management services for people
with mental illnesses in outpatient settings under Medical Assistance. They would be supervised
by a psychiatrist and could not performing psychotherapy or diagnostic assessments or
providing clinical supervision.
NAMI and the Mental Health Legislative Network have long opposed this bill, arguing that people
on MA tend to have the most serious mental illnesses and PAs have very little training on mental
health. There was a task force that met on this very issue and a compromise could not be
reached.
The PAs argued that they were generalists and shouldn't have to specialize; we argued that
mental health is a specialty area and they need additional training. Trisha Stark from the MN
Psychological Association testified against the bill along with Sue Abderholden. This year's bill
does require 2000 hours of clinical experience (for comparison other mental health professionals
have to have 4000 hours) and it was amended to say that they had to be in mental health.
NAMI was willing to accept the 2000 hours of experience if there were also coursework (12
credits) or 50 CME credits and were willing add PAs who had completed the program at Regions
plus coursework (6 credits) or 25 CMEs. This was rejected by the PA organization despite the
fact that the very idea came from a PA who had completed the program at Regions. The bill
passed the committee and was sent to the full house.
NAMI Bills Introduced
More bills were introduced this week to carry forward our goals of increasing access to the
mental health system. If your legislator is a chief author - call and thank them. If he or she
signed on as a co-author, please email them and thank them as well. When legislators support
our issues we need to take the time to thank them! The bills are listed below.
HF 1568 (Hoppe) (Companion to SF 702) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human
Services Reform. Requires the special review board to schedule hearings at least every three
years for anyone committed as "mentally ill and dangerous." It also requires the special review
board to identify any barriers or obstacles that may be preventing the person from progressing
in treatment and to report to the commissioner of human services on any trends that they may
be seeing.
HF 1611 (Backer) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services Reform. This bill
takes key items from the Governor's bill. Authorizes the Excellence In Mental Health
Demonstration Project, includes clarifying language for assertive community treatment teams,
directs the commissioner of human services to analyze and identify alternate payment structures
for community-based mental health services and appropriates money for respite care programs,
a psychiatric residency at DHS, and early childhood mental health.
HF 1653 (Baker; Miller and Dean, M.) (Companion to SF 1588) Referred to the Committee on
Health and Human Services Reform. Authorizes the department of human services to seek
Medical Assistance coverage for psychiatric residential treatment facilities for those younger than
21. Specifies enrolling up to 150 beds at up to six sites. This language was in the Governor's
bill.
SF 1588 (Koenen and Clausen) (Companion to HF 1653) Referred to the Committee on Health,
Human Services and Housing. Authorizes the department of human services to seek Medical
Assistance coverage for psychiatric residential treatment facilities for those younger than 21.
Specifies enrolling up to 150 beds at up to six sites. This language was in the Governor's bill.
Additional legislators signed on as co-authors to NAMI bills. They include Rep. Loeffler to HF
1062(crisis teams); Rep. Hornstein to HF 581(Homeless Youth Act); Rep. Bly, Erhardt,
Hausman, Wagenius, Lenczewski, and Kahn; Rep. Sundin to HF 120(Suicide Prevention); Rep.
Moran to HF 1233 (Student Discipline); Rep. Theis to HF 803(Loan Forgiveness); Rep. Moran to
HF 1441 (Rates Increase); Senator Saxhaug to SF 633(Rates Increase); Rep. Ward to HF
604(Rates Increase).
Medicare Bill Introduced, More Sponsors Needed
Senators Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, introduced the bipartisan
Medicare Formulary Improvement Act (S. 648) last week to protect mental health medications in
Medicare Part D. These medications are crucial in the treatment of illnesses like schizophrenia,
depression, and bipolar disorder.
Currently these medications are in a "protected class" ensuring that when a doctor prescribes
them they will not be subject to a denial based on things like cost.
So why do we need this bill?You may remember last year that there was an attack on the
"protected class" designation by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
In order to make sure that these life-saving medications remain in a "protected class" free from
repeal you must raise your voice in support of this bill.
Contact your Senators TODAY asking them to co-sponsor this critical legislation.
Senators
Email Your
Not sure who represents you?
Bill Summaries
House
HF 1535 (Mack) (Companion to SF 1356) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human
Services Reform. This is the DHS policy bill.
HF 1559 (Gruenhagen and Drazkowski) (Companion to SF 1677) Referred to the Committee on
Health and Human Services Reform. Amends the mandatory interoperable electronic health
record expansion law to make it optional for providers.
HF 1560 (Gruenhagen and Drazkowski) (Companion to SF 1713) Referred to the Committee on
Health and Human Services Reform. In documenting patient consent for release of records,
requires that consent forms must include options to agree or disagree with each individual item
for which a provider requests consent. Requires the form to allow patients to initial next to each
item.
HF 1568 (Hoppe) (Companion to SF 702) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human
Services Reform. Requires the special review board to schedule hearings at least every three
years for anyone committed as "mentally ill and dangerous." It also requires the special review
board to identify any barriers or obstacles that may be preventing the person from progressing
in treatment and to report to the commissioner of human services on any trends that they may
be seeing. This is a NAMI bill.
HF 1574 (Quam; Lohmer; Drazkowski; Gruenhagen and Newberger) Referred to the Committee
on Health and Human Services Reform. In order for a staff person at a residential program to
make food purchases with a resident's EBT card, requires the staff person to be listed as that
person's authorized representative. Also requires residential programs to document all
purchases made by program staff using residents' EBT cards.
HF 1588 (Dean, M.) (Companion to SF 1717) Referred to the Committee on Compliance and
Regulatory Reform. Requires health insurance companies to make information describing health
plans offered and eligibility requirements publically available on their website. Also requires
companies to report information regarding all plans, cost-sharing requirements, a summary of
benefits and coverage, and other detailed information to the commissioner of human services.
HF 1591 (Erickson) (Companion to SF 1495) Referred to the Committee on Education Innovation
Policy. This is the education policy bill.
HF 1609 (McDonald) (Companion to SF 748) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human
Services Reform. Allows a licensed psychologist to serve as the lead health care provider, care
coordinator, mental health care manager, or designated provider for a behavioral health home.
HF 1611 (Backer) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services Reform. This bill
takes key items from the Governor's bill. Authorizes the Excellence In Mental Health
Demonstration Project, includes clarifying language for assertive community treatment teams,
directs the commissioner of human services to analyze and identify alternate payment structures
for community-based mental health services and appropriates money for respite care programs,
a psychiatric residency at DHS, and early childhood mental health. This is a NAMI bill.
1620 (Fischer; Allen; Liebling; Clark; Murphy, E. et al.) (Companion to SF 1213) Referred to the
Committee on Health and Human Services Reform. The "Protection from Conversion Therapy
Act" prohibits mental health practitioners or mental health professionals from using in
conversion therapy with clients under 18 years of age or with vulnerable adults. Conversion
therapy is defined as any practice intended to change an individual's sexual orientation or
intended to discourage a transition from one gender to another. NAMI supports this bill.
HF 1630 (Zerwas; Schoen; Dean, M.; Franson; Schultz; Hamilton and Albright) (Companion to
SF 1592) Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Regulatory Reform. If inpatient mental
health and substance abuse services are to be covered by a health maintenance organization
and a utilization review determines that a service should not be certified, if that decision was
made by a certified psychiatrist, then a peer of the treating mental health provider must review
the request.
HF 1640 (Companion to SF 1493) (Peterson; Murphy, E.; Zerwas; Fenton; Christensen; Nornes;
Metsa; Considine; Fischer; Selcer; Erhardt; Halverson; Masin and Norton) Referred to the
Committee on health and Human Services Reform. Repeals the parental fee under TEFRA and
replaces it with a requirement that parents demonstrate their child has health insurance.
HF 1653 (Baker; Miller and Dean, M.) (Companion to SF 1588) Referred to the Committee on
Health and Human Services Reform. Authorizes the department of human services to seek
Medical Assistance coverage for psychiatric residential treatment facilities for those younger than
21. Specifies enrolling up to 150 beds at up to six sites. This language was in the Governor's bill.
This is a NAMI bill.
HF 1662 (Loeffler; Zerwas; Lohmer; Murphy, M.; Liebling; Moran; Lillie; Quam; Hamilton;
Halverson; Fischer) (Companion to 1734) Referred to the Committee on Health and Human
Services Reform. Increases income limits for medical assistance eligibility.
HF 1677 (Albright) (Companion to SF 1553) Referred to the Committee on Transportation Policy
and Finance. Specifying that anyone the Commissioner of Human Services may contract with
the Indian Health Service of the United State Department of Health and Human Services for the
care and treatment of people committed by a tribal court order for the care and treatment of
mental illnesses, developmental disability or chemical dependency. The contract shall provide
that the Indian Health Service and any federally recognized Indian tribe within the state shall
not transfer any person for admission to a regional center unless the commitment
procedure utilized by the tribal court provided specific due process protections.
HF 1712 (Quam and Barrett) (Companion to SF 1728) Referred to the Committee on Education
Innovation Policy. Authorizes the commissioner of education to help coordinate school crisis
response teams. Response teams include school administrators, guidance counselors,
psychologists, social workers, teachers, nurses, security experts, media relations professionals,
and other related areas.
HF 1767 (Allen) (Companion to SF 1634) Referred to the Committee on Aging and Long-Term
Care Policy. Provides funding for nontraditional counseling services including supportive services
and counseling related to depression, suicide, anxiety, school failure, and chemical abuse. It
also funds a walk-in counseling center for adults and youth whose social and emotional
problems, frequently evolving from experiences of abuse, childhood trauma, and inadequate
family and social support, are serious obstacles in their lives. The counseling is free and
anonymous.
Senate
SF 1484 (Clausen; Carlson; Senjem and Hoffman) (Companion to HF 1228) Referred to the
Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Directs DHS to request from the Center for
Medicare and Medicaid Services waivers necessary to create a residential campus program to
serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Requires the program to provide continuous
onsite supervision, sensory or therapeutic programming appropriate for each resident, and to
incorporate independent living skills. Appropriates $250,000 in FY 2016 for multiple programs
and initiatives targeted at Minnesotans with autism spectrum disorder.
SF 1485 (Clausen; Carlson; Senjem and Hoffman) (Companion to HF 1351) Referred to the
Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Directs the commissioner of human
services to coordinate with counties to identify a maximum of nine foster care licenses to serve
children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Includes young adults up to age 25,
and will be targeted at counties with the greatest population density and need. Eligible children
must be approved for out-of-home placement and be either in an out-of-home placement
already or currently waiting for placement.
SF 1493 (Hayden; Hoffman; Marty; Eken and Senjem) (Companion to HF 1640) Referred to the
Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Repeals the parental fee under TEFRA and
replaces it with a requirement that parents demonstrate their child has health insurance.
SF 1495 (Wiger) (Companion to HF 1591) Referred to the Committee on Education. This is the
education policy bill.
SF 1505 (Dahle) (Companion to HF 964) Referred to the Committee on Education. Direct the
Commissioner of Education to solicit a request for proposal to conduct an economic and
educational analysis of conforming the state's special education programs to conform to federal
minimum requirements. Directs the Department to provide teachers working with students with
disabilities resources about how to comply with federal requirements. Also directs the
commissioner to examine special education rules and make changes so that they conform to upto-date statutes.
SF 1530 (Hoffman; Metzen; Lourey and Sheran) (Companion to HF 1587) Referred to the
Committee on Commerce. Limits health plans and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting
enrollee's choice of pharmacy or pharmacist. As long as the pharmacy or pharmacist is licensed
by the state and agrees to the terms of the health plan's contract, an enrollee must be able to
use that pharmacy without any restriction or added cost-sharing requirement.
SF 1570 (Eaton, Hoffman, Goodwin) Referred to the Committee on Finance. Supports up to four
physicians at the Hennepin County Medical Center enrolled in an addiction medicine fellowship
program. The program will (1) to train fellows in: (i) diagnostic interviewing; (ii) motivational
interviewing; (iii) addiction counseling; (iv) recognition and care of common acute withdrawal
syndromes and complications; (v) pharmacotherapies of addictive disorders; (vi) epidemiology
and pathophysiology of addiction; (vii) identification and treatment of addictive disorders in
special populations; (viii) secondary interventions; (ix) the use of screening and diagnostic
instruments; (x) inpatient care; and (xi) working within a multidisciplinary team; and
(2) to prepare fellows to practice addiction medicine in rural and underserved areas
SF 1588 (Koenen and Clausen) (Companion to HF 1653) Referred to the Committee on Health,
Human Services and Housing. Authorizes the department of human services to seek Medical
Assistance coverage for psychiatric residential treatment facilities for those younger than 21.
Specifies enrolling up to 150 beds at up to six sites. This language was in the Governor's bill.
This is a NAMI bill.
SF 1590 (Dibble) (Companion to HF 715) Referred to the Committee on Finance. Allows the
commissioner of public safety to award a grant to a nonprofit that addresses disparities in the
juvenile justice system to accomplish cost-effective interventions that leverage the strength of
families and communities with grants of $2,500,000 in FY 2016 and $2,500,000 in FY 2017.
SF 1591 (Hoffman; Rosen and Eken) Referred to the Committee on Finance. Increases Medical
Assistance reimbursement rates by 23.7% for critical access services provided on or after
12/31/15 by licensed independent clinical social workers, family therapists, psychologists and
licensed professional clinical counselors.
SF 1592 (Senators Clausen; Hoffman; Eaton; Hayden and Nelson) (Companion to HF 1630)
Referred to the Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Requires a child or
adolescent psychiatrist to review a denial for mental health or substance use disorder treatment
for children for utilization reviews. Expands the review requirements to inpatient.
SF 1598 (Franzen) (Companion to HF 1848) Referred to Transportation and Public Safety.
Provides rules governing volunteer-based nonprofit providers of special transportation
services. Organizations providing these services must receive an annual certificate of
compliance, undertake annual vehicle safety inspections, receive no compensation exceeding the
charitable standard mileage rate, and meet other requirements.
SF 1606 (Senators Benson; Lourey; Rosen and Bonoff) Referred to the Committee on Health,
Human Services and Housing. Requires DHS to establish a grant program to create jobs for
people who have experienced long-term unemployment and are heavily reliant on government
services. This program is intended to serve veterans, recently incarcerated individuals and
people living with mental illnesses and chemical addiction. Grants will be provided the private
employment sector based on their ability to develop a clear plan to create full/part time
positions and integrate employment services with health, housing and other critical services.
SF 1634 (Senators Dibble; Cohen; Franzen; Hayden and Latz) (Companion to HF 1767) Referred
to the Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Provides funding for nontraditional
counseling services including supportive services and counseling related to depression, suicide,
anxiety, school failure, and chemical abuse. It also funds a walk-in counseling center for adults
and youth whose social and emotional problems, frequently evolving from experiences of abuse,
childhood trauma, and inadequate family and social support, are serious obstacles in their
lives. The counseling is free and anonymous.
SF 1677 (Limmer; Benson; Chamberlain; and Brown) (Companion to HF 1559) Referred to the
Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Amends the mandatory interoperable
electronic health record expansion law to make it optional for providers.
SF 1691 (Senators Hawj; Hayden; Hoffman; Lourey and Rosen) Referred to the Committee on
Finance. Appropriates $100,000 in fiscal year 2016 for DHS to give grants to nonprofits to
provide culturally specific mental health services to military veterans of Southeast Asian descent
born before 1965.
SF 1708 (Sheran) Referred to the Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. This bill
changes language for the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program. It clarifies
that consultation services will provide assistance to participants to make informed choices about
CFSS services. It also adds a section on the person-centered planning process, which will allow
the participant, to the maximum extent possible, to direct their own care. It clarifies the
qualification criterion for CFSS service authorization levels. Requires the agency-provider to
undertake quarterly evaluations of CFSS services and defines the criteria for the
evaluations. Also requires and describes a complaint process to be developed by all CFSS
agency-providers for program participants. It also identifies program participant rights and
protections.
SF 1710 (Kiffmeyer) (Companion to HF 1287) Referred to the Committee on Health, Human
Services and Housing. Requires and commissions a report on treatment of pediatric attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder by requiring the department to analyze data on the diagnosis and
treatment from physicians and mental health professionals. The report includes a health equity
impact assessment.
SF 1713 (Benson; Limmer and Hall) (Companion to HF 1560) Referred to the Committee on
Health, Human Services and Housing. In documenting patient consent for release of records,
requires that consent forms must include options to agree or disagree with each individual item
for which a provider requests consent. Requires the form to allow patients to initial next to each
item.
SF 1717 (Rosen and Dahms) (Companion to HF 1588) Referred to the Committee on
Commerce.Requires health insurance companies to make information describing health plans
offered and eligibility requirements publically available on their website. Also requires companies
to report information regarding all plans, cost-sharing requirements, a summary of benefits and
coverage, and other detailed information to the commissioner of human services.