SF2954

Purpose

• The bill amends Minnesota law to restrict the use of public funds in MinnesotaCare for abortion coverage, allowing abortions to be covered only in limited, specific situations. It also updates how “covered health services” are defined and who counts as a “child” for this section.

Main provisions

• Covered health services definition
  • Covered health services are the health services that are reimbursed under chapter 256B, with several exceptions. Specifically, the bill lists items not covered under MinnesotaCare for abortion-related care and related services, including: special education services; home care nursing services; nonemergency medical transportation; personal care assistance and case management services; community first services and supports under section 256B.85; behavioral health home services under section 256B.0757; housing stabilization services under section 256B.051; and nursing home or intermediate care facility services.
• Abortion coverage restrictions
  • Public funds may not be used for abortion coverage under MinnesotaCare, except in these cases:
  • when the life of the pregnant person would be endangered, or
  • when there would be substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function if the fetus were carried to term, or
  • when the pregnancy results from rape or incest.
• Definitions
  • For purposes of this section, “child” means an individual younger than 19 years old.
• Expansion language
  • The bill states that covered health services “shall be expanded as provided in this section,” indicating room for future additions or adjustments to what is covered under MinnesotaCare.

Significant changes to existing law

• Public funding for abortions through MinnesotaCare is narrowed to specific life-endangering, serious health impairment, or rape/incest scenarios.
• The scope of “covered health services” is narrowed by listing several categories and services that are excluded from MinnesotaCare abortion coverage.
• The definition of “child” is established as someone under age 19 for purposes of these provisions.
• Overall framework update to align MinnesotaCare benefits with tighter abortion coverage rules and to specify which services count as covered.

Potential impacts

• Individuals enrolled in MinnesotaCare would have reduced access to abortion coverage through public funds, outside the enumerated exceptions.
• Administrative processes may need changes to determine eligibility and coverage under the new exceptions and service definitions.
• Providers and state programs must follow the new list of covered vs. non-covered services when processing MinnesotaCare claims.

Relevant Terms - MinnesotaCare - public funds - abortion coverage - life of the pregnant person endangered - substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function - rape or incest - covered health services - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 256L.03 subdivision 1 - chapter 256B - special education services - home care nursing services - nonemergency medical transportation services - personal care assistance - case management services - community first services and supports (256B.85) - behavioral health home services (256B.0757) - housing stabilization services (256B.051) - nursing home or intermediate care facilities services - child (defined as under 19 years)