MNA RNs Have Helped Lead Charge in Holding HMOs Accountable (Page 110)

MNA President Linda Hamilton

Good to hear this news today, because Minnesota Nurses have played a key role for more than a year in demanding these HMOs be held accountable! Here’s the press release from the Governor’s Office:

Dayton Healthcare Reform Saves Millions for Taxpayers

$73 million returned to taxpayers as a result of nation leading efficiency and value in healthcare reform

Saint Paul, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced $73 million in health care cost savings to state and federal taxpayers, thanks to the voluntary 1% cap on profits agreed to last year between Commissioner of Human Services Lucinda Jesson, HealthPartners, Medica, UCare, and BlueCross BlueShield.  This unprecedented return of taxpayer dollars is the latest in a series of reforms to Minnesota’s health care system, focused on providing better taxpayer value at a better price.

Payments were calculated based on 2011 financial reports submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health by health insurance companies.  In accordance with Governor Dayton’s Executive Order 11-06 issued on March 23, 2011, these reports will be independently audited and verified by vendors contracted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  Repayments from the health plans will be credited towards this biennium’s budget.

“Commissioner Jesson deserves tremendous credit for leading the negotiations, which resulted in these savings,” said Governor Mark Dayton.  “Her reforms have saved state and federal taxpayers over $600 million.”

“At a time when state budgets grow ever tighter, it is more important than ever that we get a handle on escalating health care costs,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson.  “I would like to acknowledge the willingness of the plans to work with us on this. Going forward the Department of Human Services will continue to look for ways to do business in smarter, better ways for the people of Minnesota.”

The estimated repayments for each plan are:

  • HealthPartners: $31 Million
  •  Medica: $25 Million
  •  BlueCross BlueShield: $9 Million
  • UCare: $8 Million

The Dayton administration negotiated 1% voluntary caps with the health plans for profits earned in 2011.  This cap applies to the profit earned by the managed care companies under contracts negotiated prior to the Dayton Administration.  For 2012 and beyond, the Dayton Administration implemented competitive bidding for public managed care contracts in the metro area.   These competitively bid contracts, in concert with other managed care reforms, will generate over $500 million in savings to taxpayers over the next biennium.

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Good to hear this news today, because Minnesota Nurses have played a key role for more than a year in demanding these HMOs be held accountable! Here’s the press release from the Governor’s Office:

Dayton Healthcare Reform Saves Millions for Taxpayers

$73 million returned to taxpayers as a result of nation leading efficiency and value in healthcare reform

Saint Paul, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced $73 million in health care cost savings to state and federal taxpayers, thanks to the voluntary 1% cap on profits agreed to last year between Commissioner of Human Services Lucinda Jesson, HealthPartners, Medica, UCare, and BlueCross BlueShield.  
… Read more about: MNA RNs Have Helped Lead Charge in Holding HMOs Accountable  »

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MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like those below in voicing your opposition to the bill:

“I am writing in regards to the National Nurse Licensure Compact. I strongly oppose this piece of legislation. It compromises not only the state’s ability to protect patients from unsafe situations but also my own. I take pride in the work I perform everyday, as I’m sure you do as well, and it saddens me to know that this could be jeopardized by the government who knows very little about what goes on at the bedside.  
… Read more about: More MNA RNs speak out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Laura Miller in voicing your opposition to the bill:

The National Nurse Licensure Compact which is included in the Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill would be a detriment to the nurses and population in the State of Minnesota.  Our nurses as well as the Minnesota Board of Nursing are held to a higher standard than many other states. 
… Read more about: MNA RN Laura Miller speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Lynn Hagen in voicing your opposition to the bill:

I have been an RN for over 30 years and have seen many changes within our heathcare system. We have seen changes in how our health care is driven, how the care is delivered and the reimbursement that drives it all. And although I need to be fiscally smart in how I staff my unit and meet the needs of my patients this bill completely ties my hands in many areas.
… Read more about: MNA RN Lynn Hagen speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Sandra Johnson in voicing your opposition to the bill:

Please consider the safety of all patient’s before you vote on this bill.  I am a registered nurse in Minnesota and have experienced patient care in other states such as Texas and Chicago.  My parents are snowbirds in Texas and have several health issues which require frequent hospitalization.
… Read more about: MNA RN Sandra Johnson speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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Right to Work

There was no action on Right to Work this week. Our friends in both parties and both legislative bodies have taken a stand on behalf of working families. To all of you who wrote, called and visited your elected officials, thank you. The outpouring of grassroots activism from nurses, union members and concerned citizens was like nothing we’ve seen in recent years, and deserves a lot of the credit for stopping this bill.

Health and Human Services Omnibus Bills

On Tuesday, HHS Chair David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) introduced the Senate HHS Omnibus bill, which includes the National Nurse Licensure language, aka Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, March 30, 2012  »

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Regional Action Councils – Nurses mobilizing around policy and politics

As you’ve followed the action during this legislative session and campaign season have you wondered how you can get involved on behalf of nurses and patients?

Nurses are forming six Regional Action Councils around the state to mobilize around policies and candidates that are good for nurses, patients and working families. The RACs will soon begin screening and accountability process for candidates seeking MNA’s endorsement. It is critical that nurses take advocacy beyond the bedside, and weigh in on the policies that affect our practice and patients.

If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Action Council for your area, please contact:

Thanks!
… Read more about: Regional Action Councils: Get Involved!  »

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MNA RNs are speaking out against the proposed National Nurse Licensure Compact bill making its way through the Minnesota state legislature. If passed, this legislation would lower the standards of nursing care in Minnesota and put our patients at risk.

Please join MNA RNs like Suzanne Weaver in voicing your opposition to the bill:

Please oppose the National Nurse Licensure Compact.  I believe it would compromise patient safety.  I have worked with nurses brought in to orient here in 2010 prior to the nurses strike and luckily on several occasions caught medication errors before they were made. 
… Read more about: MNA RN Suzanne Weaver speaks out against National Nurse Licensure Compact  »

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Below is a letter from the nurses serving on MNA’s Economic and General Welfare Commission:

Greetings to you all. We are writing to bring you up-to-date information about the safety of patients and the on-line Concern for Safe Staffing (CFSS) process. It has been a year since we went live with our streamlined process, and we want to apprise you of the success nurses have had documenting their advocacy for patients in unsafe staffing situations.

The CFSS process is an organizational initiative to standardize our reporting across the entire organization. The most important aspect of the process has evolved from filling out a form to mobilizing and encouraging action at the first hint of an unsafe situation.
… Read more about: Important Update on Concern For Safe Staffing Forms  »

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MNA President Linda Hamilton opened up her home and hosted a special health care discussion on March 23 with Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and others to talk about the Affordable Care Act and its positive impact in the lives of Minnesota women and their families.

Use the links below to view photos from and read news stories about this amazing event:

In addition, here’s a quick video roundup of some local TV news coverage:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/gaYbPeXkiXs]