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| A Medical Assistance Reform Report (PDF) recently submitted to the Minnesota Legislature discusses DHS progress redesigning Medical Assistance (MA) and coordinating with current and ongoing department initiatives. The 2011 Legislature directed DHS to reform MA, Minnesota’s Medicaid program, to achieve better outcomes for people with disabilities, seniors and other enrollees. The report contains detailed information on 12 separate initiatives, designated by the Legislature, including community integration and independence, improved health, reduced reliance on institutional care, attainment of housing and employment and reduced use of services that are less effective. |
| DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson honored professionals and organizations from across the state Jan. 20, citing their outstanding contributions to human services program clients. Eleven individuals and organizations were recipients of the DHS Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards. The award recipients were recognized at a ceremony at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building. More information about the awards is online. |
| The Minnesota Permanency Demonstration sought to determine whether a single benefit program would increase permanency rates and shorten foster care stays among children who had been in foster care for extended periods. A recent report, Minnesota Permanency Demonstration: Final Evaluation (PDF), draws qualified conclusions in support of a single benefit as enhancing the well-being of children by establishing permanent homes and relationships with foster parents. The project operated in Minnesota from October 2005 through September 2010. |
| A website featuring modules simulating what a Minnesota-made health insurance exchange would look like and how it would work has been launched by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, in partnership with DHS and the Health Department. Input about the exchange is being sought from consumers, small business owners, health care providers, and insurance agents and brokers. A health insurance exchange provides consumers with a simple way to find, compare, choose and purchase health care coverage. After reviewing the modules on the Commerce Department website, viewers are asked to share their opinions in an online survey. |
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| State agencies launched the Health Reform Minnesota website, www.healthreform.mn.gov Nov. 14. The website provides Minnesotans with information on how health reform affects them, their families and their businesses. The site features basic facts about health reform in Minnesota, and opportunities to connect to current activities. The website includes state and federal reforms that provide coverage to the uninsured, build the health care workforce, prevent illness and contain health care costs. |
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| More than 100 people participated in a Medicaid reform summit led by Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson Nov. 18. Jesson hosted “Medicaid in an Era of Reform,” to discuss opportunities and challenges in reforming Medicaid to provide the best value for Minnesotans. The agenda and presentations, including a Medicaid and health care reform market analysis, are available at www.dhs.state.mn.us/MedicaidReform. |
| Along with the relocation of DHS’ Licensing Division to 444 Lafayette, employees now have Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, along with new phone numbers and new functionality. Phone number changes are in effect as of Nov. 21, 2011, with voice mail messages on employees’ old phone numbers, indicating their new numbers being kept in place for 30 days after the change for standard users. The move was aimed at achieving significant cost savings by decreasing the square footage the department leases while gaining efficiencies by consolidating Central Office facilities. More information about the new phone numbers is available online. |
| The newly formed Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force is charged with developing strategies to improve access to health care, lower health care costs and improve the health status of all Minnesotans. Gov. Mark Dayton announced the formation of the task force on Oct. 31 as part of the state’s ongoing health care reform work. In addition, the Department of Commerce announced a new Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Task Force that will focus on establishing a Minnesota-made Health Insurance Exchange. More information is in a news release on the Governor’s Office website. |
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