When the legislative session began in January, Minnesota ranked 28th in terms of how much it taxed tobacco. The state will soon rank sixth. That's because the Legislature approved raising the tobacco tax by $1.60 per pack of cigarettes as part of its $2 billion tax package. The increase goes into effect July 1.
Drug expert and author Carol Falkowski spoke at each of the three policy forums on prescription opioid misuse.
More than 75 physicians, medical students, residents, clinic administrators and nurses weighed in on the issue of prescription opioid misuse as part of a three-part series that concluded May 16 in Duluth. Previous sessions were held in Minneapolis and Rochester.
With just days left in the session, lawmakers passed an $11.3 billion Health and Human Services budget that increased physician payments in the fee-for-service portion of Medical Assistance, reinstated medical education funding to a pre-2011 level and funded the Statewide Health Improvement Program.
Each year, the MMA and the MMA Foundation honor physicians and medical students in the state who have made outstanding contributions to their profession, their practice or the world around them. This year's awards, for which nominations are due July 2, are in the following categories: Community Service, Medical Student, Leadership in Quality, Minority Affairs Meritorious Service and Physician Communicator.
MMA Debuts New Information Tool for Physicians
The MMA is creating fact sheets that provide quick tips about current topics of interest to physicians. Called "8 things physicians need to know..." the fact sheets are available on the MMA website and through our membership team. The first one covers MNsure, the state's health insurance exchange.
Digital Rounds Blog
Tobacco prices are rising. Thanks to the Legislature, a pack of cigarettes will soon cost $1.60 more, which means 47,700 fewer teens are likely to become addicted to tobacco. It's a tremendous victory for health in Minnesota.
