SF5258

Purpose

This bill aims to restrict how money from the Health Care Access Fund can be used or moved. It would ensure funds are dedicated to MinnesotaCare-related purposes and to initiatives tied to the Section 1115 health care reform waiver, rather than being transferred to other state funds.

Key Provisions

• Subdivision 1. Permissible appropriations

  • Money in the Health Care Access Fund must be used only for purposes consistent with past and current MinnesotaCare appropriations, specifically referencing laws from 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995.
  • It also allows funding for initiatives that are part of the Section 1115 health care reform waiver submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by the commissioner of human services, as appropriated in the cited 1995 law.

• Subdivision 2. Permissible transfers

  • Transfers of money from the Health Care Access Fund to any other state fund are generally prohibited.
  • An exception exists for transfers to the Special Revenue Fund under a specific statutory provision (and a referenced law from 1993 First Special Session).

• Section 1 impact

  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 295.581 to create a prohibition on transfers from the Health Care Access Fund that are not for MinnesotaCare-related purposes, with the limited transfer exception noted above.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Codifies a strict prohibition on transferring funds out of the Health Care Access Fund to other state funds, with a narrow exception to the Special Revenue Fund.
• Ties permissible appropriations to historical MinnesotaCare funding levels and to initiatives tied to the Section 1115 waiver, reinforcing that funds be used for health care access and reform activities rather than other uses.

Status

• This is an introduced bill, first reading, and referred to Health and Human Services.

Implementation Notes

• The bill emphasizes protecting the Health Care Access Fund from transfers that could divert resources away from MinnesotaCare and related health care reform activities.

Relevant Terms - Health Care Access Fund - MinnesotaCare - Section 1115 health care reform waiver - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Special Revenue Fund - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 295.581 - Transfers / permissible transfers - Past and current MinnesotaCare appropriations (Laws 1992 chapter 549; Laws 1993 chapter 345; Laws 1994 chapter 1625; Laws 1995 chapter 234)