Provider Tax Repeals Stays on Track Thanks to MMA

Thanks to the efforts of MMA's legislative team and more than 70 members who sent emails to their senator as part of an MMA Action Alert, Senate health committee leaders have withdrawn their proposed plan to rescind the provider tax repeal.

House Passes HHS Budget; Senate Debate in Progress

As this issue of MMA News Now went to press, the Senate was still debating its Health and Human Services budget bill, four days after the House approved its own version. Both bodies are working to reduce general fund spending in HHS by more than $150 million over the next two years.

Tax Bill Passes House; Senate to Debate Its Version on April 29

On April 24, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a $2.6 billion tax bill that contains $789 million in increased tobacco and alcohol taxes.

Medicaid FFS Payments to Be Delayed in June

Due to legislation that was passed in 2009, $27 million in Medical Assistance fee-for-service payments that would otherwise have been paid to physicians and other providers in June 2013 will be delayed until July 2013, to allow the state to shift the costs to the next fiscal year.

Physician Sought for Immediate Vacancy on BMP

The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is looking to fill an immediate opening for Minnesota's seventh congressional district. MMA members who wish to apply for this position are encouraged to contact the MMA for endorsement consideration.

Cancer Alliance Seeks Member Physician for Committee

The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is looking for an MMA member to serve a three-year term on its steering committee.

Vacancies Available on Choosing Wisely Advisory Committee

Interested in becoming an active participant in MMA's new Choosing Wisely effort? We are looking for physicians to provide general guidance on our ABIM Foundation-funded project, which will examine ways physicians and patients think and talk about medical tests and procedures. Committee members will offer input on communications strategies and messaging, and coordinate with other Choosing Wisely efforts locally and nationally. The committee will meet six to eight times over the course of the two-year project (April 2013-March 2015). Contact Janet Silversmith with your interest.

Two Minnesotans Named in Top 50 List

John Noseworthy, M.D., CEO of the Mayo Clinic, and Reed Tuckson, M.D., executive vice president and chief of medical affairs with UnitedHealth Group, have been named to Modern Healthcare's "50 Most Influential Physician Executives in 2013." Noseworthy is no. 2 and Tuckson is 41.

Resolutions for House of Delegates Due July 12

All resolutions for this year's Annual Meeting must be submitted by July 12. Late resolutions will be considered only if of a truly urgent nature. If you have any questions about submitting a resolution contact the MMA Annual Meeting office. Additional information can also be found on the Annual Meeting page. This year's meeting takes place Sept. 20-21 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest (formerly known as the Northland Inn) in Brooklyn Center.

Financial Planning for Residents and Fellows

A free, two-hour seminar, "Financial Planning and Debt Strategies for Young Physicians," will be offered on May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MMA offices, 1300 Godward St. N.E., Minneapolis. The seminar will help young physicians understand how to rein in student loan debt and begin a disciplined financial planning program. Spouses/guests are welcome and a light dinner will offered. For more information or to register, click here.

Attention: Creative Physicians! 

Fancy yourself a budding Hemingway or Ansel Adams? Then Minnesota Medicine is looking for you. Enter your essay, poem or short story in the 10th annual Medical Musings writing contest. Or enter your best photo in the annual photography contest. Both are due May 10. Winners will be featured in the July issue of the magazine. For more information and to enter, visit the Minnesota Medicine contest website.

In the April edition of Insights, Will Nicholson, M.D., secretary-treasurer of MEDPAC's board of directors, makes the case for why more physicians should become politically active.

Eric Dick, MMA's manager of state legislative affairs, provides an update for happenings at the Capitol including the MMA's take on HHS funding, the provider tax and other taxes.

Public program snapshot

How Minnesota's public health insurance programs are changing under the ACA.