 |
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
TIPS, TOOLS & RESOURCES
|
 Renowned Health Care Policy, Finance Expert to Speak at June Member Meeting
Action Group members will have a unique opportunity to hear from renowned health care policy and finance expert, Allan Baumgarten, at the June 21 member meeting. As the title suggests, we will be exploring "The Changing Landscape for Health Care in Minnesota: Data and Insights for Employers." Baumgarten is an independent analyst and consultant whose work focuses on health care policy, finance and local market strategies. He is the author of Minnesota Health Market Review, a nationally recognized annual report analyzing key trends and issues in the market since 1990.
This member-exclusive meeting is June 21, 2018, from 8 a.m.-10 a.m., at the Hilton Airport/MOA. Click here for a full description.
|
If a friend or colleague is actively considering membership, please reach out to Deb Krause ([email protected]) for a member meeting guest pass!
|
|
Mental Health First Aid at Work Training for Members
Mental Health First Aid at Work training will be available to all members of The Action Group's Mental Health Learning Network/Guiding Coalition. There are six additional spots available to members who are not Learning Network members.
Mental Health First Aid at Work is a workplace mental health training program that teaches participants how to notice and support an individual who may be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse concern or crisis and connect them with the appropriate employee resources. The program is a skills-based, experiential, evidence-based practice.
"We know that mental issues affect every person, either directly or indirectly, as well as the bottom line of every employer," says Deb Krause, Action Group vice president. "Yet, only 15 percent of HR managers feel managers are trained to recognize the problem and share support and resources. This can begin to change with thoughtful training such as that offered through Mental Health First Aid at Work."
The training is July 18, 2018, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and we have reserved spots for Learning Network members; others may contact
Sue Jesseman (sjesseman@mnhealthaction group.org) to register for one of the six remaining spots (first come, first served basis). Learn more
here.
|
| Carolyn Pare Recaps Successful 2018 Summit: Viewing Health Care Challenges Through a New Lens
Attendees of The Action Group's 2018 Employer Leadership Summit explored the role of purpose in creating vibrant, high-performing, healthy organizations. The capacity crowd included a hand-selected assembly of distinguished speakers, panelists and innovators, as well as a full complement of sponsors and exhibitors who eagerly helped attendees understand how to solve for today's health care benefit challenges.
As one person said in their evaluation: "This was my first time attending the Summit. It was so much awesome to take in!"
Read Carolyn's blog here for a full recap. Presentations, a photo gallery, and more highlights can be found here.
THANK YOU to all who attended, with special thanks to our highly valued sponsors who help make it all possible.
|
| New Survey Summary Complements Summit Topics
|
|
|
To view the Star Tribune Article about the Survey, click
here
|
The Action Group's Annual Employer Benefits Survey offers key insights to guide health care benefits strategy and planning.
High-level findings from general industry and cities, counties and school districts are featured in two summaries that are now publicly available. A third version was added this year to complement Summit topics.
Topics for the Survey Special Edition include job satisfaction, keeping pace with the changing workforce, employee health issues with a special focus on mental health, top 10 2018 health care priorities, and how employers are using data to drive decision making.
Those who did
not participate in the 2018 Survey but would like a copy of the full results may receive them by committing to taking the Survey in 2019. Please contact Deb Krause ([email protected]) to learn more.
|
Prediabetes: It's Real, It's Common, It's Reversible!
|
|
|
| View "Six Steps for Dealing with Depression in the Workplace" |
|
Did you know that one in three of your employees has prediabetes and 90 percent of them don't know it? Or that in just the last five years, the number of adult Americans with diabetes has increased 27 percent? Or that people without chronic disease have about $1,560 in health care expenses, which jumps to $16,779 per year for people with diabetes who have another chronic disease?
Employers are in a unique position to help stop diabetes in its tracks. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is collaborating with The Action Group to make the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) a covered benefit for employees. This proven lifestyle change program can cut the risk of diabetes in half. Free employer resources are available to help employers get started:
- MDH/Action Group Employer Toolkit includes DPP vendors, a risk calculator, fact sheet, FAQs and much more. To view, please click here (select "National Diabetes Prevention Program" tile).
- CDC Diabetes Prevention Impact Toolkit, designed for states, employers, and insurers, please click here.
|
Understanding How Drug Channel Intermediaries Make Money
This new report from Drug Channels follows the dollar to understand how drug intermediaries make money. The analysis also provides crucial background for understanding the Trump administration's drug pricing blueprint.
The report takes the Fortune 500 list and explores the profitability and shareholder returns of the largest public drug wholesalers, chain pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These companies are then compared with the Fortune 500 11 pharmaceutical manufacturers, with a separate survey of independent pharmacies.
|
Discover, Network, Grow! Join as at one of These Special Events...
The Action Group makes it easy to take advantage of a variety of professional development opportunities.
Member meetings feature timely topics selected by members, and presenters include thought leaders who provide innovative, practical tips and tools for achieving positive workplace advancements.
Member Meetings:
All regularly scheduled member meetings are held at the Hilton Airport/MOA, 3800 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Public Meetings and Events:
|
|
As the legislative session concluded, attention turned to the November election. The stakes are higher than usual on the state and federal levels.
Minnesota's entire Congressional delegation (eight representatives and two senators) is up for election. Both U.S. Senate seats are up due to the resignation of Al Franken earlier this year, and at least three of the district races (1st, 3rd, 8th) are expected to be very close. In addition to the entire House of Representatives being up for election, Minnesotans will be choosing a new governor. Following recent state conventions, the winning Republican candidate is Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson; Democrats are backing longtime State Representative Erin Murphy. Shaking things up, Attorney General Lori Swanson jumped into the race for governor, and former Attorney General Mike Hatch filed his candidacy for his old job. This set off a chain reaction of politicians seeking new offices, with DFL candidates flooding the field for the top races.
Adding one last touch of intrigue to the November ballot is a special election for State Senate in District 13 in central Minnesota. Michelle Fischbach (R - Paynesville) resigned her long-held seat last week to officially become the state's Lt. Governor, replacing now U.S. Senator Tina Smith. Republicans currently hold a 34-33 majority, setting up a single election to decide control of the State Senate.
The outcome of all of these races, especially on the state level, will have a significant impact on how topics like health care costs, transparency, and the provider tax are dealt with in 2019.
|
Member Center a Wealth of Helpful Tools and Resources
Member-exclusive presentations and materials are available through the Member Center from the
homepage. For example:
- Presentations from member meetings, including "ACOs Accelerating Value" and "Surviving and Thriving" Making the Most of the RFP Process" (log into the Member Center from the homepage).
- "Working Well in Minnesota: Insights and Actions for Advancing Mental Health in the Workplace" (click here to view a recent blog by Deb Krause, Action Group vice president, "Mental Health Parity: It's Time to Fulfill the Promise!")
- Comprehensive Member Directory
- Specialty Pharmacy Purchaser's Guides (Phase I and Phase II)
|
Express Roundup: Top Stories from The Action Group's Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
