HF 1861

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; modifying best practices
guidelines; establishing a quality improvement
investment program; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 62J.43.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 62J.43, is
amended to read:

62J.43 deleted text begin BEST PRACTICES deleted text end new text begin EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH CARE
GUIDELINES new text end AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end [ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES.] To
improve quality and reduce health care costs, state agencies
shall encourage the deleted text begin adoption deleted text end new text begin use new text end of deleted text begin best practice deleted text end new text begin evidence-based
health care new text end guidelines and participation in best practices
measurement activities by physicians, other health care
providers, and health plan companies. The commissioner of
health shall facilitate access to deleted text begin best practice deleted text end new text begin evidence-based
health care new text end guidelines and quality of care measurement
information to providers, purchasers, and consumers by:

(1) identifying and promoting local community-based,
physician-designed deleted text begin best practices care deleted text end new text begin , evidence-based health
care guidelines new text end across the Minnesota health care system;

(2) disseminating information available to the commissioner
on adherence to deleted text begin best practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based guidelines new text end care by
physicians and other health care providers in Minnesota;

(3) educating consumers and purchasers on how to
effectively use this information in choosing their providers and
in making purchasing decisions; and

(4) making deleted text begin best practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care
guidelines new text end and quality care measurement information available to
enrollees and program participants through the Department of
Health's Web site. The commissioner may convene an advisory
committee to ensure that the Web site is designed to provide
user friendly and easy accessibility.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin Subd. 2. new text end [COLLABORATION WITH MINNESOTA NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.] The commissioner of health shall collaborate with
a nonprofit Minnesota quality improvement organization
specializing in best practices and quality of care measurements
to provide deleted text begin best practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care guidelines
new text end criteria and assist in the collection of the data.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin Subd. 3. new text end [CRITERIA FOR EVIDENCE-BASED
GUIDELINES.] new text begin Guidelines identified under this section must meet
the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) the scope and application are clear;
new text end

new text begin (2) authorship is stated and any conflicts of interest
disclosed;
new text end

new text begin (3) authors represent all pertinent clinical fields or
other means of input have been used;
new text end

new text begin (4) the development process is explicitly stated;
new text end

new text begin (5) the guideline is grounded in evidence;
new text end

new text begin (6) the evidence is cited and graded;
new text end

new text begin (7) the document itself is clear and practical;
new text end

new text begin (8) the document is flexible in use, with exceptions noted
or provided for with general statements;
new text end

new text begin (9) measures are included for use in systems improvement;
and
new text end

new text begin (10) the guideline has scheduled reviews and updating.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Initial evidence-based health care guidelines.
new text end

The initial deleted text begin best practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care guidelines
new text end and quality of care measurement criteria developed shall include
asthma, diabetes, and at least two other preventive health
measures. Hypertension and coronary artery disease shall be
included within one year following availability.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin Subd. 5. new text end [USE IN STATE CONTRACTS WITH HEALTH PLANS.]
The commissioners of human services and employee relations may
use the data to make decisions about contracts they enter into
with health plan companies.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin Subd. 6. new text end [LIMITATIONS.] This section does not apply if
the deleted text begin best practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care new text end guidelines
authorize or recommend denial of treatment, food, or fluids
necessary to sustain life on the basis of the patient's age or
expected length of life or the patient's present or predicted
disability, degree of medical dependency, or quality of life.

deleted text begin (f) The commissioner of health, human services, and
employee relations shall report to the legislature by January
15, 2005, on the status of best practices and quality of care
initiatives, and shall present recommendations to the
legislature on any statutory changes needed to increase the
effectiveness of these initiatives.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) This section expires June 30, 2006.
deleted text end

Sec. 2. new text begin QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INVESTMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health, in consultation with the
commissioners of finance and administration, shall submit
recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2005, to
establish a quality improvement investment program to provide
technical assistance, grants, and low-interest loans to health
care organizations and health professional associations to
support establishing or updating electronic information systems
in all health care settings to support the efficient and
effective delivery of safe, evidence-based health care services
and to reduce administrative costs.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of health for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006,
for the report required under section 2.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective July 1, 2005.
new text end