Minnesota lawmaker introduces bill to address funding need

Minnesota House Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL‐Apple Valley) recently met with mental health and substance use treatment clinicians at Nystrom & Associates Apple Valley Clinic to discuss the urgent need to increase funding for mental health and addiction treatment, a news release stated. One in five Minnesota adults and one in six children in Minnesota experience a mental health condition. “We all know that medical assistance is critical for health care coverage in Minnesota.” said Rep. Robert Bierman when introducing a bill to address the chronic underfunding of the program. The legislation, HF1005, would seek to combat the recent mental health cuts by requiring the Department of Human Services to implement the recommended higher rates found in the Minnesota Health Care Programs Outpatient Services Rates Study. “Reimbursement rates to providers who serve these Minnesotans have fallen woefully behind,” said Bierman. “Our current rates are unsustainable and have created a crisis in access to care.” Mental health providers in the community are typically paid on a transparent, direct flow‐through model, meaning their take‐home pay is directly impacted by the state's rate reductions that started in January and will total nearly 24% by 2027. “Mental health clinicians provide life‐changing care. State reimbursement needs to reflect that,” said Anh Kremer, chief strategy & development officer and general counsel for Nystrom. “We're so thankful for Representative Bierman's leadership. It demonstrates his ongoing commitment to ensuring Minnesotans have access to the life‐saving behavioral health services they need,” added Mark Peterson, CEO, Nystrom & Associates.