HF 2131

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 03:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; adding requirements addressing health disparities in minority
populations and identifying health priorities of minority populations; creating
a task force; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 145.928, by adding a
subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62K.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [62K.16] MINORITY OMBUDSPERSON.
new text end

new text begin MNsure must establish a minority ombudsperson to work with minority communities
to assist in navigating MNsure. The minority ombudsperson shall collaborate with the
councils of color to identify medical clinics that reach minority residents in order to aid
minority residents in navigating MNsure.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 145.928, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Minority run health care professional associations. new text end

new text begin The commissioner
shall award grants to minority run health care professional associations to achieve the
following:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide collaborative mental health services to minority residents;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide collaborative, holistic, and culturally competent health care services in
communities with high concentrations of minority residents; and
new text end

new text begin (3) collaborate on recruitment, training, and placement of minorities with health
care providers.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall appoint members to an advisory task force by
July 1, 2014, to research ways to eradicate health care disparities by increasing diversity
among medical providers that reflects a representation of current and future predicted
immigrant populations in the state. The task force shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) analyze demographic information of current medical providers;
new text end

new text begin (2) compile a database of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG) certified foreign-trained doctors who are residents of the state;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide expenditure estimates for integrating foreign-trained doctors into the
state workforce; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identify possible funding sources.
new text end

new text begin (b) By December 20, 2014, the task force must submit recommendations to the
commissioner of health. The commissioner shall report findings and recommendations to
the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care by December 31, 2014.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin HEALTH PRIORITIES OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall appoint an advisory task force by July 1, 2014,
to research the current health care needs of minority communities and set priorities for
meeting those needs. The task force shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) review data from medical providers, minority-run health care professional
associations, and other nonprofit groups serving minority communities; and
new text end

new text begin (2) conduct listening sessions with minority community members to determine
the health care needs of the community.
new text end

new text begin (b) By December 20, 2014, the task force must submit recommendations to the
commissioner of health. The commissioner shall report findings and recommendations to
the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care by December 31, 2014.
new text end