Signed by Governor Mark Dayton

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that appropriates funds for the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $6.44 billion for fiscal year 2013-2014 and $6.46 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015 to Health and Human Services (Art. 14, Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 5 average rate adjustment to nursing facilities, seventy-five percent of which must go towards compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by a nursing facility, effective September 1, 2013 (Art. 7, Sec. 25).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 3.2 average rate adjustment to nursing facilities, seventy-five percent of which must go towards compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by a nursing facility, effective October 1, 2015 (Art. 7, Sec. 26).

• Requires the department to increase operating payments by 1 percent for an intermediate care facility for an individual with developmental disabilities (Art. 7, Sec. 47).

• Requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal authority from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to operate a health coverage program for an individual with an income up to 275 percent and federal poverty guidelines (Art. 1, Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes medical assistance payments for the following individuals (Art. 1, Sec. 9-13):
• An individual under the age of 19;
• A pregnant woman;
• An infant less than one year of age, whose mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of birth;
• An infant less than 2 year of age and is in a family with income that is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline;
• An individual at least 21 and under 65, who does not have children, is not pregnant, is not entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B, and does not meet the requirements of the supplemental security income program for other reasons than excess income or assets; or 
• An individual under 26 years of age who was in foster care under the commissioner’s responsibility on the date of attaining 18 years of age.

• Requires the commissioner to seek federal approval to implement the MinnesotaCare program as a basic health program (Art. 1, Sec. 34). 

• Requires the MinnesotaCare coverage to be available to the following individuals (Art. 1, Secs. 43-46):
• A single adult in a  household with no children and who has an income that is above 133 percent and equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size;
• An individual who receives disability benefits; or
• A “lawful” present noncitizen.

• Prohibits an applicant or enrollee residing in a correctional or detention facility to be eligible for MinnesotaCare, unless the applicant or enrollee is awaiting disposition of charges (Art. 1, Sec. 47). 

• Specifies that an individual who is eligible for medical assistance is not eligible for MinnesotaCare (Art. 1, Sec. 48). 

• Requires a health plan issued to a large employer to provide coverage for the diagnosis, evaluation, multidisciplinary assessment, and medically necessary care of children under 18 with autism spectrum disorders, including but not limited to the following conditions (Art. 12, Secs. 2-3):
• Early intensive behavioral and developmental therapy;
• Neurodevelopmental and behavioral health treatments and management;
• Speech therapy;
• Occupational therapy;
• Physical therapy; and
• Medications. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that appropriates funds for the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $6.44 billion for fiscal year 2013-2014 and $6.46 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015 to Health and Human Services (Art. 14, Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 5 average rate adjustment to nursing facilities, seventy-five percent of which must go towards compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by a nursing facility, effective September 1, 2013 (Art. 7, Sec. 25).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 3.2 average rate adjustment to nursing facilities, seventy-five percent of which must go towards compensation-related costs for employees directly employed by a nursing facility, effective October 1, 2015 (Art. 7, Sec. 26).

• Requires the department to increase operating payments by 1 percent for an intermediate care facility for an individual with developmental disabilities (Art. 7, Sec. 47).

• Requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal authority from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to operate a health coverage program for an individual with an income up to 275 percent and federal poverty guidelines (Art. 1, Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes medical assistance payments for the following individuals (Art. 1, Sec. 9-13):
• An individual under the age of 19;
• A pregnant woman;
• An infant less than one year of age, whose mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of birth;
• An infant less than 2 year of age and is in a family with income that is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline;
• An individual at least 21 and under 65, who does not have children, is not pregnant, is not entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B, and does not meet the requirements of the supplemental security income program for other reasons than excess income or assets; or 
• An individual under 26 years of age who was in foster care under the commissioner’s responsibility on the date of attaining 18 years of age.

• Requires the commissioner to seek federal approval to implement the MinnesotaCare program as a basic health program (Art. 1, Sec. 34). 

• Requires the MinnesotaCare coverage to be available to the following individuals (Art. 1, Secs. 43-46):
• A single adult in a  household with no children and who has an income that is above 133 percent and equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size;
• An individual who receives disability benefits; or
• A “lawful” present noncitizen.

• Prohibits an applicant or enrollee residing in a correctional or detention facility to be eligible for MinnesotaCare, unless the applicant or enrollee is awaiting disposition of charges (Art. 1, Sec. 47). 

• Specifies that an individual who is eligible for medical assistance is not eligible for MinnesotaCare (Art. 1, Sec. 48). 

• Requires a health plan issued to a large employer to provide coverage for the diagnosis, evaluation, multidisciplinary assessment, and medically necessary care of children under 18 with autism spectrum disorders, including but not limited to the following conditions (Art. 12, Secs. 2-3):
• Early intensive behavioral and developmental therapy;
• Neurodevelopmental and behavioral health treatments and management;
• Speech therapy;
• Occupational therapy;
• Physical therapy; and
• Medications. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $6.41 billion for fiscal year 2014 and $6.39 billion for fiscal year 2015 for health and human services.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $11.52 billion for health and human services for fiscal years 2014-2015.

Highlights:

• Appropriates the following funds from the State General Fund for the Department of Health and Human Service for Continuing Care (Art. 14, Sec. 3):
• $18.73 million in fiscal year 2014; and
• $19.27 million in fiscal year 2015.

• Requires legislators to submit to and pass a drug test to be eligible for compensation and expense reimbursements (Art. 10, Sec. 1).

• Requires candidates for Minnesota Family Investment Program benefits to submit to and pass a drug test to be eligible to receive benefits (Art. 10, Sec. 21).

Full Bill Text