Key Parts of Just Passed MN House Health Bill

04/22/2007

Provisions found within the 529-page health bill include:

• Child health insurance: will cost $99 million over the next two years and nearly four times that in 2010-2011 as more of the state's children are insured.

• Nursing home reimbursement increases of 3% for each of the next two years, at a cost of $138 million. Three-quarters of the money would have to go to employee wages and benefits.

• State aid to those with disabilities is reorganized with an increase in mental health service.

• Improvements in welfare formula: work requirements for students is lowered, Social Security income and housing subsidies do not count against state welfare grant amounts, plus recipients can refuse to work at unpaid jobs.

• "Health Insurance Exchange:" a Pawlenty proposal to help consumers buy tax-free individual policies. The cost is: $6 million.

• Family planning services at $1.1 million an increase of $25%.

• Pandemic flu preparations – a one time cost of $6 million.

• Dental care for those on public health programs in the amount of $10 million

• An electronic medical record system with a one time cost of $27 million.

The Senate has already approved a health and human services bill that aims to provide health insurance for 51,000 uninsured Minnesota adults and children by 2011, and sets aside $34 million for community and crisis services intended to reduce hospital stays for mental health patients.

The House and Senate bills must be reconciled in conference committee.