HF 4172

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring a study of the effectiveness of alternative medicine
approaches; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin STUDY OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
CARE PRACTICES.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of health in cooperation with the University of Minnesota
medical research shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of alternative medicine
approaches to the treatment of diseases and chronic conditions, including, but not limited
to, the following:
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new text begin (1) anemia;
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new text begin (2) asthma;
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new text begin (3) cancers;
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new text begin (4) cardiovascular disease;
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new text begin (5) chronic fatigue;
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new text begin (6) Crohn's disease;
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new text begin (7) endocrine conditions;
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new text begin (8) fibromyalgia;
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new text begin (9) high blood pressure and high cholesterol;
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new text begin (10) hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism;
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new text begin (11) kidney and liver disorders; and
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new text begin (12) type 2 diabetes.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner in cooperation with the University of Minnesota medical
research shall review the medical records of persons who volunteer to participate in this
study to determine whether alternative medicine treatments resulted in improvement of
the patient's condition or conditions. Documents provided under this provision are private
data under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. The commissioner shall reimburse volunteers
for expenses incurred by participating in this study. In order to recruit volunteers to
participate in this study, the commissioner must inform health care providers of this study
and post information for potential volunteers on the agency's Web site.
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new text begin (c) The study must investigate whether, and under what specific circumstances,
alternative medicine approaches to treatment for the listed conditions are medically
effective. The study must include analysis and evaluation of whether alternative medicine
approaches are cost effective approaches to treatment of the listed conditions. For
purposes of this section, "alternative medicine approaches" means medical treatments that
are provided by licensed health care practitioners, but are not covered treatments under
most health insurance plans.
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new text begin (d) The commissioner shall continue this study through January 15, 2011, and shall
report to the legislature each year beginning January 15, 2010, as to the effectiveness
of alternative medicine approaches, and make recommendations as to whether these
treatments should be covered by health insurance plans.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner
of health to conduct the study specified in section 1.
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