February 17, 2023

Assisted-suicide bill introduced

As expected, a new assisted suicide bill (HF1930/SF1813) was introduced February 16th in the Minnesota Legislature. Upon initial review, it seems similar to the last iteration of the bill in 2021. We are in the process of taking an in-depth look at the legislation and will report back anything that is new.

(more…)

February 7, 2023

Over Catholic protests, Minnesota lawmakers pass right to abortion law, send to governor

In a party line vote, Democrats in the Minnesota Senate passed a bill 34-33 in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 to place a right to abortion for any reason and without a limit on viability into state law. The House approved the measure Jan. 19, and Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill into law. (more…)

January 10, 2023

Action Alert: Contact Legislators

Join Minnesota’s Bishop is speaking out against the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act. Send your legislators a message urging them to vote NO on this bill that will enshrine abortion into MN law.  Visit Minnesota Catholic Conference for further instruction.

December 12, 2022

Appeals court rules Catholic Medical Centers cannot be forced to perform transgender surgeries.

A federal appeals court blocked the Biden administration ‘s requirement that healthcare and insurance groups perform transgender procedures in a case brought by religious doctors who argued the mandate violated their religious beliefs.  The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Religious Sisters of Mercy and other groups in a unanimous ruling on Friday, saying they are entitled to a permanent injunction against the mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services .

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/appeals-court-rules-catholic-medical-centers-cant-be-forced-to-perform-transgender-surgeries
March 2, 2022

February Economic Forecast

Earlier today, Governor Walz and the leadership of the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget formally released the February Economic Forecast.  The forecast will provide the Walz Administration and the Minnesota Legislature with the fiscal roadmap necessary to design a supplemental budget, bonding bill and potentially some form of tax relief.  The good news, since the November Forecast Minnesota’s budget surplus has continued to grow. Over the past few months, Minnesota has added an additional $1.5 billion dollars to the state’s surplus.  This is on top of the billions of dollars the state has put away into budget reserves, stadium reserves and rainy-day funds.  This also does not include the roughly $1.2 billion in unspent federal COVID funds the Legislature and Governor left unspent at the end of the 2021 Legislative Session.  This means, there is roughly $10.4 billion dollars (20% of the state’s biennial budget) available for the Legislature and Walz Administration to divvy up in the coming weeks. 

(more…)

February 16, 2022

Legislative Update – February 16, 2022

As the 2022 legislative session moves forward, here is an update on two key bills that CHA-MN in partnership with the Alliance for Ethical Healthcare is supporting.
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee will hear both HF 2517, funding for the Palliative Care Advisory Council, and HF 3148, legislation to modify the state definition of palliative care on Wednesday, March 16 at 3PM.
February 11, 2022

Message from Holy Father on World Day of the Sick

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36).

Standing beside those who suffer on a path of charity

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thirty years ago, Saint John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.

 

(more…)

January 31, 2022

First Day of Legislative Session with O’Rourke Strategic Consulting

The last time we “talked” there was a summer special session wrapping up, a budget agreement, and a plan to return in the fall to wrap up Front Line Worker pay. That last bit didn’t go very well. The Front Line Workers pay issue is still lingering … and the cost has since been raised by both sides.

(more…)

January 14, 2022

Newest state revenue update

The state of Minnesota’s revenue picture continues to improve, but the national economic recovery is expected to be a little weaker, according to the January Revenue and Economic Update from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB).

While state revenues continue to out-perform earlier expectations, we haven’t yet reached a broad-based recovery. Many Minnesotans are still struggling, and the pandemic and recession’s unequal impact won’t be eliminated without further action.

(more…)

October 24, 2021

VIRTUAL Annual Meeting with Sr. Mary Haddad

The Catholic Health Association of Minnesota’s Annual Meeting will now be held virtually on Wednesday, October 27th from 10:00am-12:00 noon. (more…)