2022 MN Legislative Session Update: Payment reform, Vaccine Access, MinnesotaCare Buy-IN & More

2022 Minnesota Legislative Session Update: Our legislative rep Dave Renner, CAE, shares an update on the status of primary care payment reform, gives a recap on recent bills introduced that would interfere with vaccine access, shares more on what we’re following with the Governor’s budget proposal as well as provides updates on frontline worker pay and workers’ compensation legislation.

MN Physicians Urge Minnesotans to Get Vaccinated

Earlier this week, MAFP member and former Minnesota House Representative Alice Mann, MD, MPH, joined a group of Minnesota physicians and health care workers from across the state at Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center in Minneapolis. The group shared stories to help shed light on what’s happening in Minnesota hospitals (with the current surge and capacity and workforce issues) and asked Minnesotans to, once again, help slow the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety & Effectiveness

We recognize there is A LOT of information out there regarding COVID-19 vaccines. It can feel overwhelming; and, unfortunately, not all of it is accurate.

Here’s what we know: vaccines are safe, effective and our number one tool at preventing serious illness and death related to COVID-19.

This post includes links to resources and trusted sources on vaccine safety, effectiveness and FAQs.

We Need You to Join the Fight Against the Delta Variant

The Delta variant is now the dominant strain across Minnesota (and the U.S.): it’s more contagious and may cause more severe illness than past variants (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We are seeing infections and hospitalizations increasing again—and, in turn, our health system is being strained.

We know many of you are SO tired and have done your part in the past to limit the spread and fight this pandemic. Unfortunately, the more people in our communities who don’t do their part, the more the virus will mutate (change) and cause problems for all of us.

Once again, we’re hearing from family physicians across Minnesota: They are tired. They are struggling. They are fighting for you. But, they need YOU to join the fight!

We Must Do Something About Physician Burnout, Depression & Suicide

In the past four months, the Twin Cities physician community has lost several of our own to suicide. Tragically, we are not alone—about 300-400 physicians in the U.S. die each year from suicide, with physicians facing a suicide risk nearly 2-3 times higher than the general population.

Now more than ever, it’s critical for health care clinics/hospitals/systems, payers, physicians and more to come together to address burnout and the increase in physician suicide. Not only do we need to normalize physicians seeking help for mental health concerns and remove stigma and punishments, but we also need to recognize that our healers are human too and they need support like everyone else.