HF 771

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

A bill for an act
relating to health; providing for evidence-based
health care guidelines; 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.

(a) 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 deleted text begin best
practices deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care guidelines new text end 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 deleted text end care across the Minnesota
health care system new text begin that is consistent with evidence-based health
care guidelines new text end ;

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

(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.

(b) 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 criteria deleted text end new text begin evidence-based health care
guidelines new text end and assist in the collection of the data.

(c) 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 deleted text begin developed
deleted text end new text begin reviewed new text end 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.

(d) The commissioners of human services and employee
relations may use the data to make decisions about contracts
they enter into with health plan companies.

(e) 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.

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

(g) This section expires June 30, 2006.