HF 4112

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/07/2022 03:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; creating a Health Equity and Leadership Council; specifying
membership on the Rural Health Advisory Committee; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 144.1481, subdivision 1; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 144.1481, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; membership.

The commissioner of health shall establish
a deleted text begin 16-member deleted text end new text begin 21-member new text end Rural Health Advisory Committee. The committee shall consist
of the following members, all of whom must reside outside the seven-county metropolitan
area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2:

(1) two members from the house of representatives of the state of Minnesota, one from
the majority party and one from the minority party;

(2) two members from the senate of the state of Minnesota, one from the majority party
and one from the minority party;

(3) a volunteer member of an ambulance service based outside the seven-county
metropolitan area;

(4) a representative of a hospital located outside the seven-county metropolitan area;

(5) a representative of a nursing home located outside the seven-county metropolitan
area;

(6) a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine licensed under chapter 147;

(7) deleted text begin a dentist licensed under chapter 150A deleted text end new text begin an oral health professional new text end ;

(8) deleted text begin a midlevel practitioner deleted text end new text begin an advanced practice provider new text end ;

(9) a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;

(10) a licensed health care professional from an occupation not otherwise represented
on the committee;

(11) a representative of an institution of higher education located outside the seven-county
metropolitan area that provides training for rural health care providers; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (12) a member of a Tribal nation;
new text end

new text begin (13) a representative of a local public health agency or community health board;
new text end

new text begin (14) a health professional or advocate with experience working with people with mental
illness;
new text end

new text begin (15) a representative of a community organization that works with individuals
experiencing health disparities;
new text end

new text begin (16) an individual with expertise in economic development, or an employer working
outside the seven-county metropolitan area; and
new text end

deleted text begin (12) deleted text end new text begin (17) new text end three consumers, at least one of whom must be deleted text begin an advocate for persons who
are mentally ill or developmentally disabled deleted text end new text begin from a community experiencing health
disparities new text end .

The commissioner will make recommendations for committee membership. Committee
members will be appointed by the governor. In making appointments, the governor shall
ensure that appointments provide geographic balance among those areas of the state outside
the seven-county metropolitan area. The chair of the committee shall be elected by the
members. The advisory committee is governed by section 15.059, except that the members
do not receive per diem compensation.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [145.9231] HEALTH EQUITY ADVISORY AND LEADERSHIP (HEAL)
COUNCIL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; composition of advisory council. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner
shall establish and appoint a Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council to
provide guidance to the commissioner of health regarding strengthening and improving the
health of communities most impacted by health inequities across the state. The council shall
consist of 18 members who will provide representation from the following groups:
new text end

new text begin (1) African American and African heritage communities;
new text end

new text begin (2) Asian American and Pacific Islander communities;
new text end

new text begin (3) Latina/o/x communities;
new text end

new text begin (4) American Indian communities and Tribal Government/Nations;
new text end

new text begin (5) disability communities;
new text end

new text begin (6) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities; and
new text end

new text begin (7) representatives who reside outside the seven-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (b) No members shall be employees of the Minnesota Department of Health.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Organization and meetings. new text end

new text begin The advisory council shall be organized and
administered under section 15.059, except that the members do not receive per diem
compensation. Meetings will be held at least quarterly and hosted by the department.
Subcommittees may be developed as necessary. Advisory council meetings are subject to
Open Meeting Law under chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The advisory council shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) advise the commissioner on health equity issues and the health equity priorities and
concerns of the populations specified in subdivision 1;
new text end

new text begin (2) assist the agency in efforts to advance health equity, including consulting in specific
agency policies and programs, providing ideas and input about potential budget and policy
proposals, and recommending review of particular agency policies, standards, or procedures
that may create or perpetuate health inequities; and
new text end

new text begin (3) assist the agency in developing and monitoring meaningful performance measures
related to advancing health equity.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 6, the advisory council
shall remain in existence until health inequities in the state are eliminated. Health inequities
will be considered eliminated when race, ethnicity, income, gender, gender identity,
geographic location, or other identity or social marker will no longer be predictors of health
outcomes in the state. Section 145.928 describes nine health disparities that must be
considered when determining whether health inequities have been eliminated in the state.
new text end