House and Senate Budgets Don't Bode Well for Health Care

In their budgets released earlier this week, both the House and Senate proposed spending targets that would result in cutting more than $150 million from general fund spending on Health and Human Services.

MMA Successful in Amending Pharmacy Bills 

The MMA has successfully amended bills from the Board of Pharmacy dealing with drug compounding and the Prescription Monitoring Program that should provide more safety for patients and improve the tool for tracking prescriptions for controlled substances.

Exchange Becomes Reality; Search is On for Board Members

With Gov. Mark Dayton's signature on March 20, a Minnesota-based health insurance exchange became a reality. Wasting no time, the secretary of state put a call out for applications for the governance board the next day.  

Meet With Legislators During Spring Break

MMA members have a great opportunity to help influence health care policy by speaking with their legislators during the Easter/Passover break.

Stalled Health Care Bills Will Have to Wait

The Minnesota Legislature has reached the point in the session in which legislation that has not gone through sufficient committee hearings will almost certainly not be considered. This effectively stalls several health care-related bills the MMA has been following.

U of M Medical School students Laura Gorsuch and Ryan Fier, who are both active in the MMA Medical Student Section, proudly show off the envelopes that contain their residency assignments.

MMA at Match Day

National Match Day took place on March 15 at medical schools across the country. The MMA was on hand at the University of Minnesota to show its support. Match Day is the annual rite of spring when graduating medical students learn where they will serve out their residency. For more information on the U of M Medical School Match Day click here or for a report on the Mayo Medical School event click here.

   

 

MMA-Sponsored Public Health Film Festival Approaching

The MMA is a co-sponsor of the Ninth National Public Health Week Film Festival April 1-5 at the University of Minnesota's Mayo Memorial Auditorium, 425 Delaware St. S.E., in Minneapolis. The free festival features films on the following topics: agriculture and food, the marketing of breast cancer, mental health, environmental health and gender identity. Doors open at 5 p.m. each night. An expert will introduce each film at 5:45 p.m. Go online for more information on the film festival including parking and speaker details.

Winner Selected for MMA/Member Advantage Giveaway

A staff member from Northwest Anesthesia P.A. in Minneapolis won the drawing for an iPad Mini at the recent Minnesota Medical Group Management Association Winter Conference held in St. Paul. Nearly 100 individuals entered the contest. MMA members can achieve significant savings on products and services through a variety of clinic and practice-friendly Member Advantage partners. Stay in touch with your MMA and Member Advantage to fully experience the cost savings and other benefits of membership.

Stopping doctor shoppers:

Minnesota's Prescription Monitoring Program reduces abuse of controlled substances and improves care. So why aren't more physicians using it?