Minnesota Public Health Association Policy News

HF2113 - Supporting Equitable Covid-19 Vaccine Access

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:25:39 GMT

Please see the attached letter of support for HF2113 for equitable Covid-19 vaccine access. - March 12, 2021

HF2113 Equitable Covid-19 Vaccine Access.pdf

MN Declaration on Climate Change & Health

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 21:04:56 GMT

Read the MN Declaration on Climate Change & Health letter, of which MPHA is a supporter. - February 18, 2021

MN Declaration on Climate and Health 2-8-21.pdf

Final Report of the House Select Committee on Racial Justice

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:18:25 GMT

House Select Committee on Racial Justice Final Report

The Final Report of the House Select Committee on Racial Justice has been uploaded:

Direct links: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/docs/AtTtQOzOW0_0kfobUfMQrw.pdf

Committee Webpage: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/Committees/Home/91036

Letter to President-Elect Biden's Transition Office: Rescind Executive Order (EO) 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:27:38 GMT

Mirroring a letter from Safe States Alliance, MPHA sent the following letter to President-Elect Biden's Transition Office on January 14, 2021, to rescind:

Executive Order (EO) 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

Read the letter here: Letter to President-Elect 01-14-2021.pdf

Update January 21, 2021:

Read the federal Executive Order advancing racial equity and rescinding related Trump EOs, issued by President Biden on his first day in office.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

Action Alerts from APHA & Infographic

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:29:06 GMT

Check out the latest action alerts from APHA: https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/advocacy-for-public-health/action-alerts

Tobacco Control Enforcement for Racial Equity Endorsements as of 11/10/20

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 15:32:32 GMT

MPHA was proud to join endorse “Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Enforcement of Commercial Tobacco Control” statement of principles on Sept. 30, 2020.

This joint statement was developed by a consortium of over 40 public health organizations to help local and state health departments, decision makers, advocates, and other stakeholders advance equitable enforcement practices related to the purchase, possession, sale, and distribution of all commercial tobacco products.

Please see the most recent update as of 11/10/20 in the attached .pdf:

Tobacco Control Enforcement for Racial Equity_FINAL_20201011.pdf

Additional organizational support continues to be accepted, and the endorsers list will be updated on a bi-monthly basis going forward. Please contact Ginny Chadwick, Program Coordinator, Missouri Eliminate Tobacco Use Initiative, University of Missouri School of Medicine at chadwickv@missouri.edu.

Vote on Resolutions - September/October 2020

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 14:52:13 GMT

Please take a few minutes to help us review, and soon vote on, the two resolutions being brought forward to MPHA membership: Racism as a Public Health Crisis (1) and Universal School Meals (2). You will be receiving an email to vote on accepting or rejecting these important resolutions.The drafts are available for review below.

2020 Legislative Preview

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 02:22:35 GMT

A look into which bills MPHA members will be keeping an eye on this legislative session.

Topic: Tobacco 21

Bill number:

Description: Statewide legislation that increases the legal sale age for tobacco from 18 to 21. AHA and the Minnesotans for a Smokefree Generation coalition are still planning to push a state T21 bill this session to support compliance and enforcement and to remove PUP penalties. More than 60 Minnesota communities have already taken action by passing local Tobacco 21 ordinances, but the recent surge in youth e-cigarette use demands a statewide response.

Topic: Tobacco prevention funding

Bill number:

Description: Tobacco use is the leading risk factor for cancer. Last year, Minnesota collected more than $750 million in tobacco taxes and settlement fees, but less than one percent was spent on tobacco prevention. ClearWay Minnesota^SM, which provides most of the funding for tobacco prevention in Minnesota, will end by 2022. A long-term, sustainable solution must be in place before it sunsets. American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer Action Network (CAN) supports sustainable funding for tobacco prevention in Minnesota.

Topic: Flavored tobacco products

Bill number:

Description: 80 percent of youth tobacco users use fruit, candy, or menthol flavored tobacco products. The tobacco industry markets flavored products, including menthol, to youth, African Americans, and other specific populations. Flavored products mask the harshness of tobacco but are just as addictive and dangerous as other products. ACS CAN supports restricting the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol cigarettes.

Topic: Healthy kids’ meals

Bill number:

Description: Legislation that makes water and milk the default beverage options in kids’ meals. Making water and milk the default beverage options for kids’ meals at restaurants will promote healthier beverage options and help reduce sugary drink consumption.

Topic: Safe routes to school

Bill number:

Description: $6 million for Safe Routes to School infrastructure grants in a bonding bill. Safe Routes to School helps improve children’s safety by providing safer crosswalks and routes to walk and bike to school, which can increase physical activity and also promote students’ health and academic performance. Demand for infrastructure grants continues to grow in Minnesota, with requests for funding far exceeding available state and federal dollars.

Topic: Access to care

Bill number:

Description: Policies that support health care access and coverage for individuals living with or at risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. AHA’s positions include but are not limited to prohibiting discrimination in coverage for pre-existing conditions, opposing the extension of short-term limited duration health plans, and supporting the continuation of the Palliative Care Advisory Council.

Topic: Transportation: Reliable, long-term, dedicated funding for lasting change

Bill number:

Description:

A 3/4-cent increase in the metro sales tax to fund more bus routes, more electric buses, and more frequent service - with 90% of total revenue dedicated to metro-area transit and 10% dedicated to improving bicycling and walking in the metro.
$10 million per year in new, ongoing funding for Greater Minnesota transit.
$15 million per year in new, ongoing funding for Greater Minnesota bicycling and walking.

Topic: Transportation: Capital investments for immediate, meaningful progress in 2020

Bill number:

Description:

$75 million for arterial bus rapid transit in the metro - bonding dollars are urgently needed this year to build the shovel-ready D Line and B Line, and to plan and engineer for additional lines that finally move the region beyond a smattering of routes to a connected aBRT system.
15 million for transit facilities in Greater Minnesota.
$10 million for suburban transit facilities.
$10 million for statewide Safe Routes to School.
$10 million in statewide electric bus and vehicle charging infrastructure.

Topic: Breast and cervical cancer treatment for American Indian women

Bill number:

Description: The American Indian Cancer Foundation is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCDEP) to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings to under- and uninsured urban American Indian women in Minnesota. Under federal law, any woman diagnosed with cancer through a NBCCDEP-funded program is eligible for Medicaid. However, Minnesota's Medical Assistance for Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act is written with the most restrictive wording and names the Minnesota Department of Health’s Sage Screening Program as the only eligible screening program, leaving out any women screened and diagnosed through other CDC programs. ACS CAN supports legislation to broaden the treatment coverage to all women diagnosed under any NBCCEDP funded program in Minnesota.

Topic: Palliative care

Bill number:

Description: ACS CAN supports legislation to fund the existing Minnesota Palliative Care Advisory Council, which works to identify barriers to coordinated, supportive care during treatment of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.

Topic: Protecting access to pain medication for cancer patients

Bill number:

Description: ACS CAN will monitor legislative proposals regarding the prescribing of opioid pain medications and advocate for a balanced approach that promotes safe prescribing and dispensing of pain management medication that does not interfere with access to these medicines for the cancer patients and survivors who need them.

Topic: Paid family and medical leave *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Bill number: HF5

Description: This bill would create a state-administered paid leave insurance program that would provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for medical and family leave, so Minnesotans can take care of themselves and their families. Everyone would contribute and everyone would benefit. More information about the issue and the coalition behind it is here.

Topic: Clean energy *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Bill number: HF700/SF850

Description: Health impacts related to climate change are significant and will accelerate without legislativeaction to reduce carbon emissions. The bill increases Minnesota’s renewable energy standard for electric utilities, removes garbage burning from definition of renewable energy, sets 100% carbon free energy standard in 2050, and includes language to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared equitably. Bipartisan support, but significant hurdles in the Senate.

Topic: Expand firearm background checks *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Bill number: HF 8
Description: This bill calls for expanding criminal background checks to include most private sales and transfers to include sales at gun shows or online. The background checks would not apply to a sale or transfer to an immediate family member.

Topic: “Red flag” law *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Bill number: HF 9/SF 436

Description: This bill would adopt a “red flag” law that would allow relatives and law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may be a serious threat to others or themselves.

Topic: Recreational cannabis

Bill number:

Description: A specific bill on the legalization of recreational cannabis has yet to be introduced for this session. This bill would likely propose to allow individuals over the age of 21 to possess and consume (and potentially cultivate) cannabis. It might also include criminal expungement. Representative Winkler has been traveling throughout the state to hold discussions on legalizing recreational cannabis; it is something he has been a proponent of for awhile.

2019 Legislative Summary

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 20:02:06 GMT

Here is the final update on the bills we were tracking this session, provided by Policy and Advocacy Committee members.

Issue/Topic: Provider Tax Sunset/Health Care Access Fund

Bill Numbers/Title: HF2414/SF2452 Omnibus HHSBills

Brief description: Since its inception in 1992,Health Care Access Fund has supported Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare which provides health care coverage to working families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford health insurance. The current source of funding for HCAF is the provider tax, which is set to expire 12/31/19. If the provider tax expires, it would result in an almost $700 million annual loss in dedicated funding for health care in Minnesota. The HCAF also funds public health prevention strategies through the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP).Communities around Minnesota are using SHIP to increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables, serve healthier foods, make walking and biking easier, encourage multi-unit housing to go smoke-free, and engage with employers to improve wellness options for employees. Working with community partners, SHIP has accelerated reductions in smoking rates and slowed rising obesity rates, resulting in $620 M in averted health care spending since 2011.

Final Status: The provider tax has been extended indefinitely at 1.8% (previously 2%). The Health Care Access Fund will continue to fund SHIP. SHIP was fully funded at $17.5 million per year.

Issue/Topic: Clean Energy

Bill Numbers/Title: HF700/SF850

Brief description: Health impacts related to climate change are significant and will accelerate without legislative action to reduce carbon emissions. The bill increases Minnesota’s renewable energy standard for electric utilities, removes garbage burning from definition of renewable energy, sets 100% carbon free energy standard in 2050, and includes language to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared equitably.Bipartisan support, but significant hurdles in the Senate.

Final Status: This bill did not pass.

Issue/Topic: Healthy Food Access

Bill Numbers/Title: HF436/SF1354 (Good FoodAccess Program)

Brief description: This bill would invest $2.5 million/year in the Good Food Access Program, which is designed to provide grants, loans and technical assistance to small food retailers who are working to address Minnesota’s food access challenges. Since its establishment in 2016, the Program has supported a range of community-driven solutions, from enhanced grocery stores to mobile markets, farmers’ markets and more. In all, more than 20 communities have benefited, but food access challenges still exist for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans, putting them at higher risk for poor health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Without a reinvestment, funding will run out this year. Visit https://www.mnhealthykids.org/good-food-access-campaign/ to learn more.

Final Status: The Good Food Access Program secured additional resources in the final state budget, allowing the Dept. of Agriculture to invest up to $300,000 per year for the next four years.

Issue/Topic: CPR

Bill Numbers/Title: HF1520/SF1638 (TelephoneCPR)

Brief description: This bill would strengthen our state’s EMS system by promoting telephone CPR training for 911 operators.The general public expects that, if they call 911 for a cardiac arrest emergency, the operator is going to be to tell them how to start CPR until help arrives, but this doesn’t always happen, because there are no minimum training standards for 911 operators in MN. This bill would ensure all 911 operators are trained to provide CPR instructions over the phone or to quickly transfer callers to a center that can, helping bystanders start CPR quickly while EMS is in route. Immediate bystander CPR can double, even triple, a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Final Status: Telephone CPR passed as part of the judiciary and public safety omnibus bill. This new law will ensure all 911 operators in Minnesota are trained to provide CPR instructions over the phone or quickly identify and transfer cardiac arrest calls to another call center whose staff can.

Issue/Topic: Paid Family and Medical Leave

Bill Numbers/Title: HF5, now incorporated into HF2208 (JobsOmnibus); Senate Jobs Omnibus is SF2611

Brief description: This bill would create a state-administered paid leave insurance program that would provide up to 12weeks of partial wage replacement for medical and family leave, so Minnesotans can take care of themselves and their families. Everyone would contribute and everyone would benefit.

Final Status: The bill was not heard in the Senate, so it did not pass.

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Bill Numbers/Title: Expand firearm background checks (HF 8)

Brief description: This bill calls for expanding criminal background checks to include most private sales and transfers to include sales at gun shows or online. The background checks would not apply to a sale or transfer to an immediate family member.

Final Status: This did not pass.

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Bill Numbers/Title: “Red flag” law (HF 9/SF 436)

Brief description: This bill would adopt a “red flag” law that would allow relatives and law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may be a serious threat to others or themselves.

Final Status: This did not pass.

Issue/Topic: Opioid Crisis/Opiate Epidemic Response

Bill Numbers/Title: HF400/SF751

Brief description: This bill would establish an Opioid Addiction Advisory Council, opioid stewardship fund, and opiate product registration fee; opioid addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, and recovery provisions modified; reports required; and money appropriated.

Final Status: This bill passed. Fees will be charged to manufacturers. A portion of the funds may go to the county and other social service organizations that are impacted by the opioid crisis.

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Transparency

Bill Numbers/Title: HF704

Brief description: Requires drug manufacturers to provide greater transparency over prescription drugs – cost disclosure for qualifying prescription drugs and report required.

Final Status: Funding was appropriated for this, but policy language will be worked on in 2020.

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Repository Program

Summary: Allows some healthcare facilities (e.g., long-term care facilities) to donate unused, still packaged medications to a central repository for redistribution. Reduces waste, environmental harm, and saves money.

Final Status: This passed.

Issue/Topic:Tobacco 21

Summary: Raising the tobacco sale age to 21 will help reduce youth smoking and save lives, since 95% of addicted adult smokers started before age 21. To date, 31 Minnesota cities and counties have adopted Tobacco 21 policies. Tobacco 21 would have a profound effect on health, reducing smoking among 15-to-17-year-olds by an estimated 25 percent.

Final status:This did not pass.

Issue/Topic: Smoking Cessation Funding

Summary: QUITPLAN® Services, the state’s free quit-smoking helpline, is ending in 2020. Lawmakers must fund quit-smoking resources this year so there is no gap in help for Minnesotans who are trying to quit tobacco. If Minnesota does not fund a statewide service, it will become the only state in the nation not providing one.

Final Status: This passed; funding has moved to MDH.

Issue/Topic: Keeping Indoor Air Clean

Summary: Minnesotans expect and deserve clean indoor air. This bill expands the definition of smoking to ensure Minnesota’s smoke-free indoor air law covers the use of e-cigarettes wherever smoking is prohibited. Several local Minnesota communities have passed these policies, but Minnesota does not have a comprehensive statewide law.

Final Status: This passed.

Dedicating Delinquent Tobacco Settlement Fees

Summary: Since 2015, several cigarette brands have not been paying their required share of settlement fees to the state of Minnesota. Big Tobacco companies agreed to pay these fees in perpetuity as part of the 1998 Minnesota Tobacco Settlement. This bill states that if and when the delinquent companies pay these fees, part of those funds will be dedicated to health and addressing the harms caused by tobacco use, now and in the future.

Final Status: This did not pass.

Act Now for SHIP, health care access and gun violence prevention!

Fri, 10 May 2019 16:22:56 GMT

Conference Committees are meeting now to discuss final resolution on crucial public health policies including gun violence prevention, public health funding, and health care access.

For more information on the issues and how to reach out:

Health Care Access Fund Call to Action

Gun Violence Prevention Call to Action

Thank you to our friends from Protect MN, Local Public Health Association, and This is Medicaid for status updates and messaging tips!

Action Alert: Protect the Health Care Provider Tax

Thu, 09 May 2019 16:06:58 GMT

Call your lawmaker!
Protect the Health Care Provider Tax
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Please call your State Senator and tell them "Don’t let the sun set on the health care provider tax.” Health and well-being are vital to strong and thriving Minnesota families and communities. Use one or two of the talking points below to craft your personal message, and if you feel comfortable, share your personal story about why this matters to you. Find your Senator here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/.

Minnesotans depend on the Health Care Provider Tax.

Minnesotans should be able to receive the health care they need, when they need it. The health care provider tax is an essential funding source to provide affordable health care to all Minnesotans.
For more than 25 years, Minnesota’s health care provider tax has been the primary funding source for the Health Care Access Fund, helping Minnesotans get the health care they need, when they need it.
Today, 1 in 5 Minnesotans have better access to doctors, medications, and the care they need thanks to Medicaid and MinnesotaCare, programs funded by the health care provider tax.
Without the provider tax, Minnesota faces a $1.3 billion dollar hole in our biennial budget, and the health care of our friends and neighbors is at risk.
The provider tax is a Minnesota-made solution and an investment in the health of our state.
The health care provider tax is a time-tested, court-tested, reliable way to fund essential health care services. Now is not the time to slash services, or experiment with unvetted funding sources.

The Senate HHS Omnibus bill passed Tuesday morning (4/30/19) gives us a glimpse of the stark future without the provider tax. Some of the projected savings in the Senate bill are questionable, but the harm they cause will be real. The Senate bill:

cuts dental, vision, and childcare benefits to low income working families who can’t afford to purchase those services on their own
cuts off Developmental Disability and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waivers and PCA services to people who rely on them
increases cost sharing significantly for MinnesotaCare enrollees
arbitrarily caps the Medical Assistance growth trend, meaning inevitable cuts to children and families

See sample call script for calling your Senator:

My name is [name] and I live at [address]. I am calling to express my support for the provider tax and the Health Care Access Fund. [Add your personal story or a few talking points about why you support maintaining the health care provider tax]. Failing to preserve the provider tax will put at risk the health and well-being of Minnesotans. I hope Senator [X] will work with their colleagues to repeal the sunset of the provider tax and maintain funding for the Health Care Access Fund. Thank you.

Sincerely,

MPHA Policy & Advocacy Committee

2019 Legislative Updates

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:59:45 GMT

Here are updates on Senate and House bills from the 2019 Legislative Session that Policy and Advocacy Committee members have shared with us.

Issue/Topic: Provider Tax Sunset/Health Care Access Fund

Bill Numbers/Title: HF2414/SF2452 Omnibus HHS Bills

Brief description: Since its inception in 1992, Health Care Access Fund has supported Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare which provides health care coverage to working families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford health insurance. The current source of funding for HCAF is the provider tax, which is set to expire 12/31/19. If the provider tax expires, it would result in an almost $700 million annual loss in dedicated funding for health care in Minnesota. The HCAF also funds public health prevention strategies through the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). Communities around Minnesota are using SHIP to increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables, serve healthier foods, make walking and biking easier, encourage multi-unit housing to go smoke-free, and engage with employers to improve wellness options for employees. Working with community partners, SHIP has accelerated reductions in smoking rates and slowed rising obesity rates, resulting in $620 M in averted health care spending since 2011.

Current Status: House omnibus bill includes an extension of the provider tax. Senate bill has the provider tax sunsetting as the funding source for the Health Care Access Fund, moving MDH programs including SHIP from the HCAF to the General Fund. The Senate bill also modifies SHIP to remove the requirement that SHIP address the top three preventable causes of disease (poor diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use) and instead would use the funding to address concerns raised in the statewide health assessment.

Issue/Topic: Clean Energy

Bill Numbers/Title: HF700/SF850

Brief description: Health impacts related to climate change are significant and will accelerate without legislative action to reduce carbon emissions. The bill increases Minnesota’s renewable energy standard for electric utilities, removes garbage burning from definition of renewable energy, sets 100% carbon free energy standard in 2050, and includes language to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared equitably. Bipartisan support, but significant hurdles in the Senate.

Current Status: HF700 passed out of HHS and Ways & Means committee. Senator Osmek introduced a bill containing some of the clean energy items.

Issue/Topic: Healthy Food Access

Bill Numbers/Title: HF436/SF1354 (Good Food Access Program)

Current Status: Good Food Access was included in the House agriculture omnibus bill (HF2200), with an appropriation of up to $350,000 per year. It is listed as an allowed expense in the Senate agriculture omnibus bill (SF2226) but lacks a specified funding amount. This will be one of the issues negotiated as part of the final agriculture omnibus bill in conference committee.

Issue/Topic: CPR

Bill Numbers/Title: HF1520/SF1638 (Telephone CPR)

Brief description: This bill would strengthen our state’s EMS system by promoting telephone CPR training for 911 operators. The general public expects that, if they call 911 for a cardiac arrest emergency, the operator is going to be to tell them how to start CPR until help arrives, but this doesn’t always happen, because there are no minimum training standards for 911 operators in MN. This bill would ensure all 911 operators are trained to provide CPR instructions over the phone or to quickly transfer callers to a center that can, helping bystanders start CPR quickly while EMS is in route. Immediate bystander CPR can double, even triple, a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Current Status: Telephone CPR was included in the House public safety omnibus bill (HF2792) but not in the Senate public safety omnibus bill (SF802). This will be one of the issues negotiated as part of the final public safety omnibus bill in conference committee.

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Transparency

Bill Numbers/Title: HF704

Brief description: Requires drug manufacturers to provide greater transparency over prescription drugs – cost disclosure for qualifying prescription drugs and report required.

Current Status:Pending in the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee.

Issue/Topic: Paid Family and Medical Leave

Bill Numbers/Title: HF5, now incorporated into HF2208 (Jobs Omnibus); Senate Jobs Omnibus is SF2611

Brief description: This bill would create a state-administered paid leave insurance program that would provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for medical and family leave, so Minnesotans can take care of themselves and their families. Everyone would contribute and everyone would benefit. Additional information attached.

Current Status: HF2208, the Jobs Omnibus bill, was passed by the House on Wednesday, April 24th. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake).

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Bill Numbers/Title: Expand firearm background checks (HF 8)

Current Status: The bill has progressed through several House committees and has been included in the House’s public safety finance proposal, though the language has no Senate companion.

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Bill Numbers/Title: “Red flag” law (HF 9/SF 436)

Current Status:The bill has moved through the three House committees and is included in an omnibus finance bill, but the Senate version is not expected to get a hearing.

Issue/Topic: Opioid Crisis/Opiate Epidemic Response

Bill Numbers/Title: HF400/SF751

Current Status: Conference Committee to negotiate the differences in the two versions of the bill.

Tobacco policy updates

The Minnesota House passed their Health and Human Services omnibus bill on 4/25, which contains four strong tobacco prevention and cessation policies. The bill tackles tobacco addiction from several angles by raising the tobacco age to 21, strengthening the clean indoor air act, securing statewide quit-smoking services, and dedicating delinquent tobacco settlement payments to health. The Senate HHS omnibus bill includes funding to maintain the state's tobacco cessation program, but none of the other three proposals.

Tobacco 21

Summary: Raising the tobacco sale age to 21 will help reduce youth smoking and save lives, since 95% of addicted adult smokers started before age 21. To date, 31 Minnesota cities and counties have adopted Tobacco 21 policies. Tobacco 21 would have a profound effect on health, reducing smoking among 15-to-17-year-olds by an estimated 25 percent.

More info: Tobacco 21 fact sheet

Smoking Cessation Funding

Summary: QUITPLAN® Services, the state’s free quit-smoking helpline, is ending in 2020. Lawmakers must fund quit-smoking resources this year so there is no gap in help for Minnesotans who are trying to quit tobacco. If Minnesota does not fund a statewide service, it will become the only state in the nation not providing one.

More info: Cessation funding fact sheet

Keeping Indoor Air Clean

Summary: Minnesotans expect and deserve clean indoor air. This bill expands the definition of smoking to ensure Minnesota’s smoke-free indoor air law covers the use of e-cigarettes wherever smoking is prohibited. Several local Minnesota communities have passed these policies, but Minnesota does not have a comprehensive statewide law.

More info: E-cigarette fact sheet, E-cigarettes in CIAA poll fact sheet

Dedicating Delinquent Tobacco Settlement Fees

Summary: Since 2015, several cigarette brands have not been paying their required share of settlement fees to the state of Minnesota. Big Tobacco companies agreed to pay these fees in perpetuity as part of the 1998 Minnesota Tobacco Settlement. This bill states that if and when the delinquent companies pay these fees, part of those funds will be dedicated to health and addressing the harms caused by tobacco use, now and in the future.

Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation, a coalition of more than 60 organizations that share a common goal of saving Minnesota youth from a lifetime of addiction to tobacco, thanked the House for passing a strong, multifaceted bill. The coalition urged the Minnesota Senate to follow the House’s lead by also passing these four provisions.

2019 Letters of Support

Thu, 02 May 2019 01:26:25 GMT

Attached are letters of support that MPHA signed on to for 2019 Legislative Session.

Letter of support for the health care provider tax: RepealSunsetSignOn3.28.19.pdf
Letter supporting the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program to Senator Benson (and companion letter was sent to the House): Senate_Domestic Violence Letter_3-26.pdf
Letter sent to Representative Wagenius supporting carbon-free legislation: RepWagenius climate letter.pdf
- MPHA climate change and health impacts resolution: Climate change resolution MPHA 2015.pdf
Letter of support for the Good Food Access Fund: Senate Ag sign on letter March 18 Final.pdf
Two documents for support of the bill regarding skin-lightening products. MPHA supported this legislation: Sign-on form for skin-lightening bill support.pdf & Support Request 3-2019.pdf

MPHA Advocacy Training: Learn to Raise Your Voice!

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:24:50 GMT

2018 Candidate Guide

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:12:42 GMT

Election Season 2018 is in full swing!

If you find yourself face to face with a candidate for local or statewide office, promote public health in your community by asking one of the questions on our candidate guide.

This could be the first step in building a relationship with your local representative. At the very least, they will hear what is important to you!

MPHA 2018 Election Candidate Questions.pdf

And if you use this guide, tell us about it! policy@mpha.net

MPHA signs letter to Minnesota Legislators on Human Health Impacts of Fossil Fuel and Pollution

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:55:54 GMT

In January 2017, MPHA once again signed on to the Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate letter to Minnesota's Legislators. The letter draws attention to three issues:

the importance of building on recent progress in reducing carbon emissions and pollution;
the dangers of natural gas as a bridging fuel while phasing out coal; and
the need to protect our most vulnerable communities from the impacts of our changing environment.

Read the full letter here: HPHC LTL Jan2017pdf.pdf

Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate would like to hear from MPHA members interested in learning more about their work on these issues. They can be reached at hpforhc1@gmail.com.

2016 Candidate Guide

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:51:44 GMT

If you find yourself face to face with a candidate for local office, take the opportunity to promote public health in your community by asking one of the questions on our candidate guide.

This could be the first step in building a relationship with your local representative. At the very least, they will hear what is important to you!

And if you use this guide, tell us about it! policy@mpha.net

MPHA 2016 Election Candidate Questions.pdf

MPHA joins Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate in calls for pollution control

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:08:40 GMT

Earlier this month, Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate called on Minnesota Senators and Representatives to take action to control carbon emissions improve health outcomes and reduce the costs of health care in Minnesota. MPHA signed on to this letter in our efforts to increase awareness of climate change as a public health threat.

Read the letter here. Dr. Phil Peterson, Professor Emeritus University of Minnesota Medical School and a member of the group, was interviewed by Midwest Energy News. Read that interview here.

2015 Minnesota Legislation Tracking

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 21:02:33 GMT

This list includes status updates from a select number of bills during this legislative session related to MPHA’s 2015 legislative priorities. You can find and track additional public health bills using the APHA bill tracking website.

E-cigarettes

Bill Title: S.F. No. 777 - Cigarettes annual indexing requirement elimination

Brief description: Relating to taxation; repealing the annual indexing requirement for cigarettes

Status: Referred to taxes on 02/12/2015

Bill Title: S.F. No. 1135 - E-cigarettes (electronic delivery devices) use in certain places prohibition; sampling of vapor authorization

Brief description: Relating to health; prohibiting the use of (e-cigarettes) electronic delivery devices in certain places; authorizing the sampling of tobacco and vapor from electronic delivery devices under certain conditions

Status: Referred to Health, Human Services and Housing on 02/26/2015

Bill Title: H.F. 1253 - Electronic delivery device use prohibited, and sampling of vapor from electronic delivery devices allowed

Status: Author added Newyon - 03/09/2015

Bill Title: H.F. 1183 - E-cigarettes regulated

Status: Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services Reform on 02/23/2015

Bill Title: H.F. 1544 - Premium Cigar definition modified, and premium cigar maximum tax reduced

Status: Author added Smith on 03/26/2015

Bill Title: S.F. 1894 - Premium cigar definition modification and maximum tax reduction

Brief description: Relating to taxation; reducing the maximum tax on premium cigars and modifying the definition of premium cigar

Bill status: Referred to taxes on 03/19/2015

Bill Title: H.F. 600 - Transportation finance governing provisions amended, gross receipts motor fuels tax established, vehicle registration tax and metropolitan area transit sales tax amended, highway user fund and county state-aid funding distribution modified, report required, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Brief description: Transportation finance governing provisions amended, gross receipts motor fuels tax established, vehicle registration tax and metropolitan area transit sales tax amended, highway user fund and county state-aid funding distribution modified, report required, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Bill status: Author added Fischer on 03/12/2015

Bill Title: S.F. 1762 - E-cigarettes (electronic delivery device) regulation and prohibition repeal

Brief description: Regulating e-cigarettes (electronic delivery device) under the department of health; repealing the electronic cigarette prohibition

Bill status: Referred to Health, Human Services and Housing on 03/16/2015

Bill Title: S.F. 1699 - E-cigarettes (electronic delivery devices) licensed salespeople sanitization regulation and inspections establishment

Brief description: Requiring the sanitization regulations and inspections for certain licensees who sell e-cigarettes (electronic delivery devices), defining certain terms; specifying required sanitary measures for mixing a solution to be used in e-cigarettes (electronic delivery devices); requiring sanitary measures for customers who sample e-cigarettes; specifying requirements for handling nicotine; establishing inspection authority and certain penalties

Bill Status: Referred to Health, Human Services and Housing - 03/12/2015

Bill Title: S.F. 1836 - Menthol-flavored cigarette usage study in the African-American community and appropriation

Brief description: Appropriating money to the commissioner of health to evaluate and develop strategies to address menthol-flavored cigarette usage in the African-American community and to develop strategies to address cigarette usage and the harm in that community; report requirement

Bill status: Referred to Finance - 03/18/2015

Bill Title: H.F. 2139 - African-American community evaluation and strategy development funding provided to address menthol-flavored cigarette use, and money appropriated.

Bill status: Authors added Liebling; Hausman; Davnie; Murphy, E.; Clark; Carlson; and Laine - 04/07/2015

Bill title: H.F. 2089 - Smoking definition under Clean Indoor Air Act expanded

Bill status: Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services Reform - 03/23/2015

Bill title: H.F. 2182 - Nicotine solution used in electronic cigarettes tax rate changed

Bill status: Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services Reform - 04/09/2015

Bill title: S.F. 87 - Transportation funding provisions modification; gross receipts motor fuels tax establishment; vehicle registration tax and metropolitan area transit sales sale provisions modification; highway user fund and county state aid funding distribution modification; railroad recodification; trunk highway bonds authorization

Brief description: 1E Relating to transportation ARTICLE 1 - TRUNK HIGHWAY BONDING Appropriating money to the department of transportation (DOT) for the corridors of commerce program and the transportation economic development program; authorizing and providing for the sale of state bonds ARTICLE 2 - GROSS RECEIPTS TAX Imposing a motor fuels gross receipts tax, specifying exemptions; making conforming amendments ARTICLE 3 - VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX Increasing the motor vehicle registration tax ARTICLE 4- ...

Bill status: Comm report: To pass as amended and refer to Finance - 03/25/2015

Bill title: S.F. 2025 - E-cigarettes (electronic delivery device) nicotine solution tax rate modification and vapor products use tax imposition

Brief description: Relating to tobacco taxes; changing the tax rate for nicotine solution used in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); defining consumable material, vapor products, and expanding the definition of tobacco products; imposing certain taxes on vapor products; modifying certain provisions relating to rates of tax, exemptions from tax, and promotional distribution of tobacco products.

Bill status: Referred to Taxes - 04/07/2015

Hearings: 1. 04/15/2015 08:30 AM , [ ] - Committee On Taxes - Room 15 Capitol

Bill title: H.F. 1638 - Omnibus health and human services finance bill

Brief description: A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing the health and human services budget; modifying provisions governing health care, MinnesotaCare, MNsure, continuing care, nursing facility payments and workforce development, public

health and health care delivery, children and family services, chemical and mental health, direct care and treatment, withdrawal management programs, and health-related licensing boards. Eliminates funding for SHIP.

Bill status: Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means - 04/22/2015

Bill title: H.F. 1645 - Active transportation programs provided to support bicycle pedestrian, and other nonmotorized transportation activities; and legislative report required.

Bill status: Author added Fischer - 03/26/2015

Bill title: S.F 1458 - Omnibus health and human services finance bill

Brief description: Removing the child support application fee (rt)

Bill status: Second reading - 04/23/2015

Bill title: H.F. 844 - Omnibus K-12 education policy and finance bill

Brief description: Relating to education, providing for funding and policy in early childhood,

kindergarten through grade 12. Does not include the PE bill, includes no new funding for school nutrition.

Bill status: Second reading - 04/23/2015

Bill title: S.F. 1376 - Active transportation programs establishment to support bicycle, pedestrian, and other nonmotorized transportation activities; bicycle sales tax dedication to active transportation program

Brief description: 1E Relating to transportation; establishing and providing for active transportation programs to support bicycle, pedestrian, and other nonmotorized transportation activities; defining certain terms; specifying authority powers and duties, program requirements and bond eligible costs; dedicating revenues from the sales tax on bicycles to the active transportation program; requiring the development of an project evaluation and selection process; report requirement.

Bill status: See SF 87; Art. 8; Sec. 10, 16, 26 - 03/11/2015 (Comm report: To pass as amended and refer to Finance - 03/25/2-15)

Minimum Wage Issue Brief

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:48:11 GMT

An increase in the minimum wage is gaining traction this legislative session. In keeping with our Health in All Policies focus, Minnesota Public Health Association is releasing an Issue Brief to help guide members in discussions with legislators about the interaction between wages and health. Click here to read the brief. If you would like more information on the minimum wage in Minnesota, you will find some context here.

On Monday, March 3rd, MPHA President-Elect Kristen Walters stood with the Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger and other community leaders in a press event to advocate for an increased minimum wage in Minnesota. Commissioner Ehlinger also released his department's White Paper on Income and Health. Click here to read the white paper. To quote Kristen, "MPHA supports increasing the minimum wage as one strategy to improve health, in addition to other economic and health policies to reduce health inequities. MPHA recommends a raise in minimum wage to an income sufficient to meet subsistence needs such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, and child care."

We will be handing out the issue brief, along with other materials, to legislators at our Day on the Hill April 9. Join us!

2013 Minnesota Legislation Tracking

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:43:00 GMT

This list includes a select number of bills passed during this legislative session related to MPHA’s 2013 legislative priorities. You can find and track additional public health bills using the APHA bill tracking website.

Tobacco

END OF SESSION UPDATE: The House and Senate passed a $1.60 increase in the price of tobacco.

Bill Title: H.F. No. 677 - Tax law modernization and reform provided, property tax rebate established, state business property tax reduced, fourth tier income tax established, sales tax rate lowered and base broadened, corporate franchise tax rate lowered and simplified by eliminating preferences, local government and county aid provided for, and money appropriated

Status: Approved by governor and filed by Secretary of State in Chapter # 143 on 5/23/13.

Bill Title: S.F. No. 552 - Omnibus tax bill; tax law modernization and reform; property tax rebate; state business property, sales, and corporate franchise tax rate reductions; fourth tier income tax imposition; sales tax base expansion; tax simplification; local government aid and county program aid provisions

Status: HF No. 677 substituted on general order (see above).

Health Care Reform

Bill Title: H.F. No. 5 - Minnesota Insurance Marketplace established, powers and duties prescribed, abortion coverage prohibited with certain exemptions, person's physician of choice right recognized, right to not participate established, open meeting requirements and data practice procedures specified, and money appropriated.

Brief Description: Minnesota Insurance Marketplace established, powers and duties prescribed, abortion coverage prohibited with certain exemptions, person's physician of choice right recognized, right to not participate established, open meeting requirements and data practice procedures specified, and money appropriated.

Status: Effective date 03/21/13.

Bill Title: S.F. No. 1 - Minnesota Insurance Marketplace Act

Status: H.F. No. 5 substituted on general order (see above).

Bill Title: H.F. No. 779 - Health plan policy and contract coverages regulated, state law conformed to federal requirements, and health plan market rules established

Status: Approved by governor and filed by Secretary of State in Chapter # 84 on 5/24/13.

Bill Title: S.F. No. 662 - Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) conformity; Minnesota Health Plan Market Rules

Brief Description: Relating to health plan regulation; regulating policy and contract coverages; conforming state law to federal requirements; establishing health plan market

Status: H.F. No. 779 substituted in committee on 5/7/13 (see above).

Bill Title: H.F. No. 1233 - Health and human services budget established; provisions related to health care, continuing care, nursing facility admission, children and family services, human services licensing, chemical and mental health, program integrity, managed care organizations, waiver provider standards, home care, and the Department of Health modified; home and community-based services redesigned; community first services and support and Northstar Care for Children established; child care assistance program fraud investigations provided for; autism early intensive intervention benefits established; human services performance council created, technical changes made, money appropriated, and MinnesotaCare repealed.

Status: Approved by governor and filed by Secretary of State in Chapter # 108 on 5/23/13.

Bill Title: S.F. No. 1034 - Omnibus health and human services finance bill

Brief Description: Establishing the health and human services budget; modifying certain provisions relating to health care, continuing care, nursing facility admission, children and family services, human services licensing, chemical and mental health, program integrity, managed care organizations, waiver provider standards, home care, and the department of health; repealing MinnesotaCare; making certain technical and conforming changes

Status: H.F. No. 1233 substituted on general orders (see above).

Bill Title: S.F. No. 184 - MinnesotaCare as the state basic health program establishment

Brief Description: Establishing MinnesotaCare as the state basic health program; requiring health care access fund deposit of MinnesotaCare federal receipts; requiring the commissioner of human services to coordinate state health care program information with the health benefit exchange; defining terms; requiring a health care access fund assessment; requiring federal approval to implement MinnesotaCare as a basic health program; modifying covered health services, application assistance, effective coverage date

Status: See H.F. No. 1233.

Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)

END OF SESSION UPDATE: SHIP was funded at $35 Million per biennium.

Bill Title: S.F. No. 979 - Statewide health improvement program appropriation

Status: Referred to Finance on 3/4/13. See S.F. No. 1034.

Bill Title: H.F. No, 1004 - Statewide health improvement program appropriation

Status: Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services Finance on 2/28/13. See S.F. No. 1034.

MPHA members approve policy resolutions

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:21:19 GMT

Two resolutions were approved by the Minnesota Public Health Association membership at the Annual Conference on September 28, 2012.

Promoting Health Equity updates an existing resolution (Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities, 2005) with supporting language on community initiated health projects to increase the role of community as equal partners. It also supports reaching out to communities as a way of addressing social determinants of health.

The second resolution, Health Benefits of Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships describes the health impact of cultural and institutionalized discrimination
on same-sex individuals and families. In this regard Minnesota Public Health Association follows the lead of the American Public Health Association. That body passed a resolution denouncing discrimination of homosexuals in 1975.

See the full text of both resolutions below.

Same Sex Resolution.pdf

Health Equity Resolution.pdf

Draft resolutions to be voted on during 2012 MPHA Annual Meeting

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:42:34 GMT

Recommended MPHA Policy Resolutions

Health Benefits of Legal Recognition of Same Sex Draft Resolution

Health Equity Draft Resolution

Minnesota Public Health Association Policy News

HF2113 - Supporting Equitable Covid-19 Vaccine Access

MN Declaration on Climate Change & Health

Final Report of the House Select Committee on Racial Justice

Letter to President-Elect Biden's Transition Office: Rescind Executive Order (EO) 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,

Action Alerts from APHA & Infographic

Tobacco Control Enforcement for Racial Equity Endorsements as of 11/10/20

Vote on Resolutions - September/October 2020

2020 Legislative Preview

Topic: Tobacco 21

Topic: Tobacco prevention funding

Topic: Flavored tobacco products

Topic: Healthy kids’ meals

Topic: Safe routes to school

Topic: Access to care

Topic: Transportation: Reliable, long-term, dedicated funding for lasting change

Topic: Transportation: Capital investments for immediate, meaningful progress in 2020

Topic: Breast and cervical cancer treatment for American Indian women

Topic: Palliative care

Topic: Protecting access to pain medication for cancer patients

Topic: Paid family and medical leave (**bill is still alive from last session)

Topic: Clean energy (**bill is still alive from last session)

Topic: Expand firearm background checks (**bill is still alive from last session)

Topic: “Red flag” law (**bill is still alive from last session)

Topic: Recreational cannabis

2019 Legislative Summary

Issue/Topic: Provider Tax Sunset/Health Care Access Fund

Issue/Topic: Clean Energy

Issue/Topic: Healthy Food Access

Issue/Topic: CPR

Issue/Topic: Paid Family and Medical Leave

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Issue/Topic: Opioid Crisis/Opiate Epidemic Response

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Transparency

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Repository Program

Issue/Topic:Tobacco 21

Issue/Topic: Smoking Cessation Funding

Issue/Topic: Keeping Indoor Air Clean

Dedicating Delinquent Tobacco Settlement Fees

Act Now for SHIP, health care access and gun violence prevention!

Action Alert: Protect the Health Care Provider Tax

2019 Legislative Updates

Issue/Topic: Provider Tax Sunset/Health Care Access Fund

Issue/Topic: Clean Energy

Issue/Topic: Healthy Food Access

Issue/Topic: CPR

Issue/Topic: Prescription Drug Transparency

Issue/Topic: Paid Family and Medical Leave

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Issue/Topic: Gun violence prevention legislation

Issue/Topic: Opioid Crisis/Opiate Epidemic Response

Tobacco policy updates

2019 Letters of Support

MPHA Advocacy Training: Learn to Raise Your Voice!

2018 Candidate Guide

MPHA signs letter to Minnesota Legislators on Human Health Impacts of Fossil Fuel and Pollution

2016 Candidate Guide

MPHA joins Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate in calls for pollution control

2015 Minnesota Legislation Tracking

Minimum Wage Issue Brief

2013 Minnesota Legislation Tracking

MPHA members approve policy resolutions

Draft resolutions to be voted on during 2012 MPHA Annual Meeting

Topic: Paid family and medical leave *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Topic: Clean energy *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Topic: Expand firearm background checks *(**bill is still alive from last session)*

Topic: “Red flag” law *(**bill is still alive from last session)*