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SF3149 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

County-administered rural medical assistance program establishment

Related bill: HF2955

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to create a new county-administered healthcare program called the County-Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA) program. It establishes guidelines for payment, coverage, and eligibility, with directions for the Minnesota Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal waivers to implement the program effectively.

Main Provisions

  • County Involvement: The bill mandates that county boards be involved in the development and approval of healthcare service proposals within their jurisdictions. They should be allowed to make recommendations on these proposals to ensure they meet community needs.

  • Plan Selection and Contracting: Counties are given the authority to collaborate with the state commissioner in selecting health plans for the medical assistance program, particularly when changes are made or contracts are up for renewal.

  • Local Goals and Compliance: Counties can develop specific contract requirements to align with local public health goals, and these must be incorporated into health plan contracts if there's mutual agreement with the commissioner.

  • County-Based Program Operations: Counties that already have a prepaid medical assistance program as of September 1, 1997, may continue until they choose a different method. The commissioner is instructed to terminate existing contracts based on proposals accepted from county boards.

  • Dispute Resolution: If counties and the commissioner cannot agree on health plan selections or contract requirements, disputes will be resolved by a three-person mediation panel.

  • Contract Reprocurement: Allows counties or groups of counties to request that all contracts in their service area be reprocured or renewed simultaneously, maintaining uniformity in service provision.

  • Reporting to Legislature: The commissioner is required to report the steps taken to ensure compliance and outline decisions regarding recommendations from counties. This report must be provided to the legislative committees at least 30 days before any new or renewed contract takes effect.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill introduces the CARMA program, requiring an amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.69, subdivision 3a.
  • It modifies the current process for selecting health plans and the negotiation of contracts, emphasizing increased county participation.
  • Establishes a structured mediation process for resolving disputes related to health plan contracts when agreement cannot be reached between county boards and the state.

Relevant Terms

  • County-Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA)
  • Medical assistance program
  • County board involvement
  • Prepaid medical assistance
  • Federal waivers
  • Health plan contracts
  • Dispute mediation panel

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHealth and Human Services
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthors added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions for county boards to develop contract requirements for local public health goals.",
        "Reporting requirements for the commissioner regarding compliance with section mandates."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Establishment of county authority in medical assistance prepayment programs",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts involvement of county boards in the initial and renewal phases of health plan selection and contract negotiation.",
        "Amends process for resolution of disputes between county boards and the commissioner, including mediation by a three-person panel."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.69",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Stipulation for contract termination post-January 1, 2027, based on county board proposals."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Procedures related to termination of health plan contracts under certain conditions",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies exceptions and timeline for contract termination for counties with existing prepaid medical assistance programs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.692",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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