HF 2361

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/26/2014 12:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; adding requirements addressing health disparities in minority
populations and identifying health priorities of minority populations; creating
health disparities task force; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes
2012, section 145.928, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

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. 2. 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 include representatives from the
Department of Health, the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, up to three foreign
trained physicians, a representative from a residency program in the state, a representative
from an insurance company in the state, and representatives from nonprofit organizations
with experience integrating foreign trained physicians. 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. 3. 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

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; WOMEN'S HEALTH EQUITY.
new text end

new text begin (a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of health for competitive grants to community organizations including but
not limited to a Somali women-led prevention health care agency located in Minnesota
to address women's health inequities. Grantees must use community-based participatory
research to address women's health inequities experienced by minority women and
provide services through culturally specific, women-centered programs in order to: (1)
improve and increase women's access to maternal health programs, access to preventive
care, reduce infant mortality, and increase health literacy; and (2) allow communities of
color to address specific health issues affecting their communities that will improve health
outcomes for women. The commissioner, in consultation with the grantees, must develop
a methodology to measure program outcomes.
new text end

new text begin (b) Interested organizations must apply to the commissioner on the forms and
according to the timelines established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance
on the program outcomes by January 15, 2016.
new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, this is a onetime
appropriation and is available until expended.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $75,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for planning and conducting a training conference on immigrant and refugee
mental health issues. The training conference shall include a special emphasis on mental
health concerns in the Somali immigrant community. The input of Somali and other
immigrant community representatives, mental health advocates, and other stakeholders
shall be sought during the planning of the training conference for identifying issues,
research findings, and potential speakers.
new text end