HF 1748

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/27/2019 10:44am

A bill for an act
relating to health care; requiring the commissioner of human services to establish
a project ECHO program to improve population health outcomes; requiring a
report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256B.04,
by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256B.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 25. new text end

new text begin Project ECHO program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall establish a Project
ECHO program that is aimed at expanding the state's capacity to improve health outcomes
for medical assistance beneficiaries and underserved populations. The program shall include
areas that seek to improve population health by addressing unmet needs in underserved and
rural areas of the state by using the hub and spoke structure of Project ECHO. The program
shall include supporting and expanding opioid focused Project ECHO sites as well as
additional Project ECHO specialty hubs that seek to improve health care access and reach
optimal health outcomes as determined by the commissioner, in consultation with health
care providers, health plan companies, local units of government, tribal governments, and
other interested entities. The commissioner shall add no more than two additional specialty
areas annually.
new text end

new text begin (b) Health care providers and other entities seeking to participate in a project as a specialty
site or hub must demonstrate to the commissioner that the provider has the requisite expertise
and knowledge to serve as a specialty site or hub and to address a gap in care or treatment
for a community of providers in the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall develop outcome measurements to evaluate the success of
the Project ECHO program in improving population health.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall seek all necessary federal authority and available funding
for the Project ECHO program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin PROJECT ECHO PROGRAM REPORT.
new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2021, the commissioner of human services shall report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and
human services policy and finance on the progress of receiving federal authority and funding
for the Project ECHO program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.04,
subdivision 25, as well as the topics for additional projects that the commissioner has
included or intends to include in the program. The report must include any recommendations
on legislative changes necessary to implement the Project ECHO program.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services for opioid focused Project ECHO projects that have received federal
funding dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis.
new text end

new text begin (b) $3,500,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for opioid focused Project ECHO projects and for the
addition of new specialty topics in the Project ECHO program.
new text end

new text begin (c) $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the existing and additional Project ECHO specialty
hubs.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any federal funds received for the Project ECHO program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256B.04, subdivision 25, shall be used to offset any state appropriation.
new text end