Hospital Matters from the Minnesota Hospital Association

The conflict in Iran is threatening to drive up energy prices, and the price of everything else. Minnesota Hospital Association vice president for finance policy Joe Schindler says hospitals are still trying to dig out from the inflation spike that followed the COVID pandemic, and more cost pressures are already picking up.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Joe Schindler, Minnesota Hospital Association

The Minnesota Legislature is shifting into another gear, with bills making their way through committees and getting their first votes. The Minnesota Hospital Association's Michelle Benson and Danny Ackert have an overview of what to watch at the Capitol right now. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Michelle Benson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Danny Ackert, Minnesota Hospital Association

Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner Erin Campbell reported that revenues and expenses improved to reduce the state's projected budget deficit. But there may be tougher times ahead, as health care providers brace for big changes in Medicaid regulation and eligibility in 2027. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Bob Hume, vice president, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Joe Schindler, vice president, Minnesota Hospital Association

This week, we have the full remarks of Minnesota's top legislative leaders at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's annual Session Priorities gathering. The evening touched on the tragic murder of House speaker emerita Melissa Hortman, as well as a variety of issues lawmakers will likely tackle this year -- including health care and hospital funding.

The participants included DFL State Senator and majority leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul; Republican state Senator and minority leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks; GOP state rep. And house Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring and DFL caucus leader Zach Stephenson, of Coon Rapids.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Host: Tom Hauser, KSTP-TV

Guests: Sen. Erin Murphy, Sen. Mark Johnson, Rep. Lisa Demuth, Rep. Zach Stephenson

Hospitals aren't forever. Fierce Healthcare editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison recently told the story of what happened in her home town, Carmi, Illinois, after the White County Medical Center closed its doors more than 20 years ago. "There are two kinds of Americans: those who live 12 minutes from an emergency department and those who live 72," she writes. "The distinction has become one of the most consequential divides in contemporary life." In this episode of Hospital Matters, Ellison tells the story behind the story of Carmi, and the profound change the hospital's closure represented. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association Host: David Herman, Essentia Health

Guest: Ayla Ellison, Fierce Healthcare

Read her story here.

Hyperbaric medicine is growing in popularity and popping up in facilities all over the region. But the HCMC hyperbaric program is the only 24/7 facility between Chicago and Denver – a key support for patients in need. In this episode we talk to medical director Dr. Thomas Masters about this unique service that Hennepin Healthcare has supported for decades.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Dr. Thomas Masters, Hennepin Healthcare

Mental health care for Minnesotans in crisis is proving a singular challenge for providers, particularly for children and for hospitals. Children's Minnesota and the Washburn Center for Children are teaming up in a new way to take on that challenge, and we'll hear how from Stephen DeLong, chief mental health social worker at Children's Minnesota and Jenny Britton, chief clinical officer at Washburn Center for Children.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Stephen DeLong, Children's Minnesota

Guest: Jenny Britton, Washburn Center for Children

In this episode, we'll have an excerpt from the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal's Health Care Update forum, recorded Jan. 15th in St. Paul. The speakers start off with Lisa Erickson, President and CEO at Medica; Dr. Rahul Koranne, President and CEO, Minnesota Hospital Association; Lisa Shannon, President and CEO, Allina Health; Dr. Emily Chapman, President and CEO, Children's Minnesota; Todd Archbold, Chief Executive Officer, PrairieCare.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Host: Dirk DeYoung, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Guest: Rahul Koranne, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Lisa Erickson, Medica

Guest: Lisa Shannon, Allina Health

Guest: Emily Chapman, Children's Minensota

Guest: Todd Archbold, PrairieCare

Immigration and Greenland have been dominating the headlines in recent days, but there's some other key developments in federal health policy as well. The 340B drug discount program, the federal budget and Obamacare are all back in the news. In this episode, we'll visit again with Becky Wifstrand, the Minnesota Hospital Association's director of federal policy and regulatory affairs. I asked her what's been going on, after a key 340b decision by a federal appelate court.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Becky Wifstrand, Minnesota Hospital Association

In this episode, we'll listen in on a recent Fluence Forum legislative round table, featuring District 53 DFL state Sen. Matt Klein, who is also a Mayo Clinic physician and a candidate to succeed Angie Craig in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. We'll also hear from District 34A state Rep. Danny Nadeau, who is a leading GOP member of the House Health Finance and Policy committee. The forum was moderated by Mary Krinkie, the Minnesota Hospital Association's vice president of government affairs.

Host: Tim Nelson, Mary Krinkie, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: DFL State Sen. Matt Klein, MN Senate Commerce Committee chair; GOP State Rep. Danny Nadeau, MN House Health Care Finance and Policy Committee co-chair