UCARE: Via UCare, VERBATIM: “UCare, an independent, community-based health plan, has promoted Amy Christensen, RN, BSN, PHN, to Vice President of Clinical Services. Christensen started her career at UCare in 2009 as a Disease Management Complex Care Nurse before advancing to manager roles in quality improvement, performance analytics and clinical services. Most recently, she was a Clinical Services Director overseeing utilization management, disease management and clinical services operations. Prior to UCare, she worked in case management, medical/surgical hospital nursing, first assist orthopedic surgery, home care consulting, and nursing education and mentoring.” (SPONSORED: UCare)
SIGNUP: Now signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy and can be found at one site, www.fluence-newsletters.com - VISIT: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
SCAMS: Via Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, VERBATIM: “Some Minnesota physicians are receiving phone calls from scam artists reporting to be from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice AND the scam artists have been able to make the Board’s phone number appear on the caller ID . . . Also, scam artists posing as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents are calling some Minnesota physicians as part of an international extortion scheme.” READ: http://bit.ly/33RcEHe
BESTBUY: From Mercey Livingston via CNET, VERBATIM: “Hate going to the doctor's office? It's now easier to avoid thanks to TytoCare. The health tech company just launched its hand-held telemedicine examination device, TytoHome, at Best Buy online and at 300 locations across the country (it was previously only available directly from health providers). The device lets you perform a ‘remote health examination’ from home and get a diagnosis from a doctor, virtually. While virtual doctors appointments aren't exactly new, most telemedicine services limit what a doctor can see -- appointments and consultations usually take place through a video call where doctors cannot take a patient's vitals. TytoHome aims to bridge that gap.” READ/PHOTOS: https://cnet.co/33QW768
MAYO: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic Health System will no longer provide surgical services at its Waseca and St. James facilities starting in 2020.
The decision came after an evaluation of services showed low patient volumes for surgeries at the clinics, according to a news release from the health system. ‘Waseca has a 10 percent utilization rate of surgical services, and St. James has a 5 percent utilization rate,’ the release said. Two nursing positions and two surgical technicians will be eliminated.” READ: http://bit.ly/2Km47EF
HOUSLEY: Another Beers with Blois, Sen. Karin Housley talks about liquor laws, elder care reform, the decision not to run for the U.S. Senate, and hockey over a beer and a local seltzer from Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/323bneK (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
$1TRILLION: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “Large, brand-name drug manufacturers would still be the most profitable industry sector even with $1 trillion fewer sales, all while maintaining current research investments, finds a new analysis of publicly reported financial data by researchers at West Health Policy Center and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This builds on previous research by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office finding the pharmaceutical industry has among the highest profit margins and returns of any industry group. This time, researchers specifically looked at a list of 23 large drug manufacturers -- defined as those that mostly market brand-name drugs, are members of the PhRMA trade association, are publicly traded, and do not solely focus on orphan drugs.” READ: http://bit.ly/2NOkYlJ
PRICING: From Peter Sullivan via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on Wednesday said that the administration is changing one of its main proposals to lower drug prices because President Trump wants to go further. The Trump administration last year proposed lowering certain Medicare drug prices by tying the prices to lower prices paid in other developed countries, an idea known as the International Pricing Index. Under the original proposal, prices would still have been lower than they are now, but would still be a certain percentage higher than they are in other countries. Trump was not satisfied with that idea, Azar said Wednesday, and wanted the proposal changed so that prices in the United States are even lower than they are in other countries. ‘What we suggested was reducing that 180 percent premium [above other countries] by 30 percent,’ Azar said at an event hosted by Axios.” READ: http://bit.ly/32NpFjU
VAPING: From Angela LaVito via CNBC, VERBATIM: “A top Food and Drug Administration official wavered Wednesday on whether the Trump administration will follow through with its ban of flavored e-cigarettes, telling lawmakers there is ‘no final answer’ right now. Trump health officials in September said the administration was on flavored e-cigarettes, but the policy appears to have stalled since then. Public health advocates worry the administration may be buckling under pressure from vaping companies and Trump supporters that are lobbying against the ban.” READ: https://cnb.cx/353vlba
ONLINE: From Shefali Luthra and Chaseedaw Giles via Kaiser Health News, VERBATIM: “As Washington scrambles to crack down on the nascent vaping industry — particularly how it courts young users — so-called influencers, like Hannah, whose online personas exist in a haze of glamour and celebrity, are exposing critical gaps in how government officials regulate the marketing of electronic cigarettes . . . Tobacco marketing researchers and anti-smoking advocates say regulators — namely the Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission — are ill equipped, relying on rules and standards that fail to understand modern marketing. Eschewing the glossy magazines and television ads favored by tobacco giants, brands like Juul, Logic and Myblu have leveraged sophisticated internet campaigns, relying heavily on Instagram, the photo-sharing platform used by about three-quarters of American teenagers. They have marketed from their own accounts but now benefit from the free advertising provided by influencers: seemingly unaffiliated people who promote vapes to their sizable online audiences. Their reach is global — a complication, since American regulations don’t necessarily apply abroad.” READ: http://bit.ly/33ZPmio
HOUSEBILL: From Jessie Hellmann via The Hill, VERBATIM: “A proposal to ban flavored e-cigarette products advanced out of a House health panel on Wednesday . . . In addition to banning manufacturers from adding nontobacco flavors to e-cigarette liquids, the bill, sponsored by Pallone and Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), would raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21 and ban online sales of e-cigarettes and tobacco products.” READ: http://bit.ly/2NKJ3cZ
MINNESOTA: Via Minnesota Department of Health update today, there are 109 confirmed or probable cases of vaping-associated lung injury cases in Minnesota with another 38 under review. Three people have died. SEE: http://bit.ly/2kNbs6u
GUNS: From Sadie Gurman via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “A Justice Department plan to combat gun violence aims to improve background checks by encouraging federal prosecutors to more quickly contribute information about people whose mental-health history prevents them from owning firearms. The effort, part of a broader program Attorney General William Barr rolled out Wednesday, comes in response to recent mass shootings that intensified the gun-control debate and renewed focus on flaws in the criminal background-check system. But Mr. Barr stopped short of proposing stronger gun-control measures. He instead urged authorities to step up prosecutions under existing gun laws and consider bringing federal cases against gang members and drug traffickers who use guns—already a priority for many federal prosecutors.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/354Txto
SUPERBUGS: From Ken Alltucker via USA Today, VERBATIM: “Drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ infect 2.8 million people and cause more than 35,000 deaths each year, underscoring the enormous public health threat of germs in what one official describes as a ‘post-antibiotic era,’ according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. The report, which analyzes electronic health records and other data, shows an infection every 11 seconds and a death every 15 minutes on average from bugs that resist treatment from antibiotics. The CDC said there are nearly twice as many deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections compared to the agency's 2013 report, which likely underestimated the numbers.” READ: http://bit.ly/2CGWQuQ
OUT-OF-POCKET: From Caitlin Owens via Axios, VERBATIM: “Americans pay higher out-of-pocket costs than most other wealthy countries, a byproduct of having the most expensive health care system in the world, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Why it matters: Health care costs are at the heart of today's most explosive health care debates, including ‘Medicare for All,’ prescription drug prices and surprise medical bills.” READ: http://bit.ly/36ZQchj
ACA: From Berkeley Lovelace Jr. via CNBC, VERBATIM: “Obamacare sign-ups on the federal health insurance marketplace fell 20% in the first two weeks of the 2020 enrollment season compared with last year, according to new federal data released Wednesday. In the first nine days of open enrollment, 932,049 people chose a plan for the 2020 coverage year on HealthCare.gov, the federal health insurance exchange that serves much of the United States, according to data published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That compares with 1,176,232 consumers who selected their coverage through the exchange during the first two weeks, or 10 days, last year, according to federal data released at the time.” READ: https://cnb.cx/32SkKhP
ICYMI in Morning Take: Via MNsure, VERBATIM: “During the first 10 days of open enrollment, MNsure has seen over 3,230 new consumers sign up for 2020 private health insurance plans – nearly 50 percent more than in the first 10 days of last year’s open enrollment period. Including consumers who were automatically renewed into existing plans, MNsure has so far signed up 88,254 Minnesotans for 2020 private plan coverage.”
GREATERMN: From Farmfest, the second Fluence Forum includes 9 commissioners from multiple state agencies discussing the intersection between agriculture and issues related to Greater Minnesota. The discussion will be broadcast at 6PM on Wednesday on WCCO Radio. This Fluence Forum is sponsored by Minnesota’s Corn Growers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/FluenceForum2 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers)
LYMEDISEASE: The Star Tribune’s Jeremy Olson reports the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, the agency that licenses medical doctors, lifted its moratorium on leveling sanctions against doctors who prescribe antibiotic therapy for tick-borne Lyme disease, a practice discouraged by the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2010. READ: http://strib.mn/2qSc5yx
FLU: Via Minnesota Department of Health, there were 9 flu-related hospitalizations last week, equal to the week before. The geographic spread in the state continues to be “sporadic,” the second lowest level on the agency’s scale. READ: http://bit.ly/2XdEefv
GOOGLE: From Rebecca Robbins via Stat, VERBATIM: “A federal regulator is investigating whether the federal privacy law known as HIPAA was followed when Google (GOOGL) collected millions of patient records through a partnership with nonprofit hospital chain Ascension. The probe, first reported by the Wall Street Journal Tuesday night, was opened by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. ‘OCR would like to learn more information about this mass collection of individuals’ medical records with respect to the implications for patient privacy under HIPAA,’ Roger Severino, the office’s director, said in a statement to STAT.” READ: http://bit.ly/2CI2kFB
SANDERS: From Holly Otterbein via Politico, VERBATIM: “Bernie Sanders’ heart attack could have cut his presidential bid short. Instead, it was the start of a surge of momentum that's still going strong six weeks later. Since he was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital in early October, the Vermont senator has flourished in early-state polls, held some of the biggest rallies of any Democratic candidate, and scored the endorsements of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the so-called ‘Squad.’ The curmudgeonly candidate looks happier — sunny, even — on the stump, cracking jokes and sharing personal stories. In an era in which conventional political wisdom has been set ablaze, Sanders has challenged the notion that a major health issue is an automatic death knell for a presidential candidate.” READ: https://politi.co/32T5ql2
CLIMATE: From Seth Borenstein via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Children are growing up in a warmer world that will hit them with more and different health problems than their parents experienced, an international report by doctors said. With increasing diarrhea diseases, more dangerous heat waves, air pollution and increases in mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria, man-made global warming is already harming public health around the world, the annual climate change and health report from the medical journal The Lancet said Wednesday. But the report and its authors said they worry that the future health of the world’s youngest people will get even grimmer if emissions of heat-trapping gases aren’t curbed.” READ: http://bit.ly/378kDBK
HOMECARE: Via Minnesota Department of Health, VERBATIM: “We posted updated home care bills of rights serving clients in assisted living, home care and Medicare home health agencies. These revisions were prompted by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature effective August 1, 2019. We worked closely with consumer and provider stakeholders on updating these versions, which enhanced the clarity of this important information.” SEE: http://bit.ly/33LaZ6g
MEDICAID: From John Commins via Health Leaders, VERBATIM: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday detailed a proposed rule that it says will ensure that state supplemental payments and financing arrangements for their Medicaid programs are transparent and in line with federal law. CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule would crack down on impermissible financing arrangements to ensure that federal Medicaid dollars are spent in ways that support the direct needs of Medicaid beneficiaries. ‘We have seen a proliferation of payment arrangements that mask or circumvent the rules where shady recycling schemes drive up taxpayer costs and pervert the system,’ Verma said Tuesday in a speech at the National Association of Medicaid Directors conference in Washington, D.C.” READ: http://bit.ly/2CLO7Yc
TRANSPLANTS: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “An analysis of more than 29,000 adults listed on the national heart transplant registry from 2006 to 2015 shows large discrepancies in how sick patients are when they receive heart transplants at hospitals across the country. The rules give hospitals discretion in determining who gets a transplant. Detailed in a new JAMA study, the analysis focuses on a metric called survival benefit, which is the difference between a patient's expected chance of survival after five years with a heart transplant versus without a transplant. Survival benefit is scored as the percentage increase in their chance of survival. Over the study period, the average survival benefit for heart transplants ranged from 30% at so-called low survival benefit hospitals to 55% at high survival benefit centers.” READ: http://bit.ly/2CLNDkQ
MOMS: From Hennepin Healthcare via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “For Hennepin Healthcare, breaking ground on the Redleaf Center for Family Healing means healing and hope are just ahead for Twin Cities' moms, babies and families. About 1 in 7 mothers experience depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy, according to Dr. Helen Kim, medical director for the Mother-Baby Program and co-founder of the Redleaf Center. Without treatment, the impact on a mother’s mental health can be devastating – and sometimes fatal. It can affect the entire family – including future generations. The Redleaf Center will expand on the space and services of Hennepin Healthcare’s Mother-Baby Program. The program is Minnesota’s first intensive mental health program for pregnant and postpartum moms.” READ/RENDERING: https://bwnews.pr/2CLBNHq
WORKPLACE: From Cynthia Koons via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Since the dawn of the corporate office park, mental health has been relegated to the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ limbo of the American workplace. People who’ve been diagnosed with a condition such as depression or anxiety aren’t inclined to open up to bosses and colleagues. Shame and stigma prevent some 80% of sufferers from seeking help, according to one report. These are expensive problems to keep hidden. Depression alone costs the U.S. economy $210 billion a year, half of which is shouldered by employers in the form of missed work and lost productivity . . . The creation of ‘best practices’ has thus far been left to the handful of business leaders like Harvey who care about the issue. Many companies don’t even know how to start the conversation, and there’s no playbook to follow. Benefits managers compare notes through initiatives led by organizations such as the Kennedy Forum, a mental-health-focused nonprofit, to guide one another through the darkness.” READ: https://bloom.bg/374U4xw
6,000+: Over 6,000 people have downloaded the Fluence Forum, an hour-long deep dive a critical issue of our community. The topic of the first one was the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement. Joined by labor, business and Native community leaders we discussed the impact the $2.6 billion project will have on Minnesota. You can listen to the forum here. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2PIjBUR
NEXT: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HEARTBURN: From Jason Howland via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “Occasional heartburn is common for most people. They can manage the discomfort by taking medications, regulating the types of food they eat and making other lifestyle changes. ‘Heartburn and regurgitation are the two hallmark symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease,’ says Dr. Jeffrey Alexander, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. Heartburn is a pain under the breastbone, often after eating meals.” READ: https://mayocl.in/2CP6lrL
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
TABKE: Episode #23 of Beers with Blois, from Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee first-term Rep. Brad Tabke discusses politics in a swing district, surprises in his first term, and transportation. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswBlois23 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
COHEN: From Dual Citizen brewery Sen. Dick Cohen talks about major legislation he's helped pass and current dynamics within the Senate including his challenge from fmr. Rep. Erin Murphy. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois22 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
BEERS: Beers with Blois at Utepils with Rep. Jeremy Munson. Munson talks health care, starting a new caucus and his idea for a new bill for elections and open legislative seats. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois21 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
GAROFALO: State Representative Pat Garofalo talks about a bipartisan idea for legalizing marijuana, a new outline for structuring bonding, and of course, sports betting in Minnesota. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeersWBlois20
PRATT: State Sen. Eric Pratt while rumored to be considering a candidacy for Congress against Rep. Angie Craig, Pratt announces he’ll run for re-election to the State Senate. Over a Pacifico, he discusses his leadership on passing bi-partisan wage theft legislation and pushback he received from people in his own party. Pratt discusses how he has approached trying to find a solution on the emergency insulin issue with DFLers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois19 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union )
SMITH: From Wild Minds Ales in South Minneapolis, Sen. Tina Smith talks about the culture of the U.S. Senate and who sits with who at lunch, how her marketing background changes the way she views traveling the state and meeting with people. She also shares early thoughts on her 2020 re-election campaign and what’s she’s learning about new currency on the Financial Services Committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois16 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARNAHAN: At the Republican Party booth, over a “Beer-garita”, from Tejas at the Minnesota State Fair, State GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan talks about how President Trump’s campaign has invested unprecedented resources in Minnesota for a Presidential race. Carnahan also discusses the what’s at stake in the Minnesota Senate and how she grew into her role as a political outsider. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois17 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
MCCOLLUM: From Burning Brothers brewery in St. Paul, Rep. Betty McCollum brings us to our first gluten-free brewery and discusses the dynamics of being back in the majority and the Minnesota delegation. She shares her views on copper-nickel mining in Northern Minnesota, her role as the chair of an appropriations committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois15 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig drinks a local IPA with Blois and discusses what constituents are concerned about as she represents a district that President Donald Trump won in 2016, but Craig won in 2018. Talking about her plans for 2020, Craig shares how she’s approached meeting with lobbyists, what farmers have been telling her, and her work with Rep. Pete Stauber. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois14
QUALLS: Republican challenger in Minnesota's Third Congressional District Kendall Qualls sits down at the Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth for a cold one. Qualls discusses why he decided to run for Congress, issues he thinks he can make a difference on and where he thinks Rep. Dean Phillips hasn't delivered. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois13 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARTER: At the Allianz Field Beer Hall, Mayor Melvin Carter shares his priorities for St. Paul neighborhoods and residents. From major redevelopment opportunities on the riverfront, the Ford Plant and in Midway to what he’s learned during ride-alongs with police in the city. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2Ytdprr
HAGEDORN: From Beers with Blois over some different Schell’s brewed beers at Crooked Pint in Fairbault, Rep. Jim Hagedorn joins Blois to discuss how Chinese trade has impacted the first district, his support of President Donald Trump, and what businesses and the agriculture community is concerned about as he travels the first district. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois11 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
DULUTH: In episode #10 of Beers with Blois, from Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson discusses how Duluth residents voted for higher taxes for infrastructure with over 70 percent of the vote, what the city is doing to address making housing more accessible, and why she’s taking the lead on pushing the EPA to study hydrogen fluoride after a refinery explosion in Superior, WI. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois10 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
BENSON: In episode #9 of Beers with Blois, from Invectis Brewery in Blaine, Beers with Blois catches up with State Sen. Michelle Benson on potential ways to split-up DHS and forthcoming prescription drug reform legislation. She shares the perspective on how physicians in the Senate influence legislation and what her plan is for re-election in 2020. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois9
(Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CHEERS: Rep. Tom Emmer sits down with host Blois Olson and talks about his hobby of brewing beer and his beer tracking app, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s relationship with the Minnesota delegation and on Congress failure of doing its job since the 1990’s because of a lack of leadership. He also had a few things to say about hockey parents and what people are think about Trump in his district.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2WT4euR (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
iTunes: Beers with Blois is now on iTunes, SUBSCRIBE: https://apple.co/2Mi3q2o
WHITEHOUSE: via Beers with Blois, Rep. Dean Phillips VERBATIM: “That hour I spent in the White House Situation Room with the President was eye opening." In addition, Phillips shares insights on how they share thoughts this weekend in the Problem Solvers Caucus trip to the border, as well as his plans for 2020.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois8 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
NEU: The Lindstrom Bakery and Deputy House Minority Leader Anne Neu joins Blois to discuss Gov. Tim Walz role in the budget negotiations, Trump’s influence in the 2020 elections and how Minnesota DFLers are starting to look like DC Democrats on “radical” proposals. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois5 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
FREY: Using some blue language Mayor Jacob Frey introduces Blois to actual beer at La Doña, a cervezaria near where the Minnesota United Soccer stadium was going to be. Frey on his relationship with Chief Medaria Arradondo and how often they talk on the phone. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois4 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
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VIREO: From Minnesota-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Vireo Health International, Inc. (CNSX: VREO;OTCQX: VREOF), the leading science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today announced that Shaun Nugent will be joining as Chief Financial Officer on December 2, 2019.” READ: https://prn.to/32NW2z0
VIREO: From Minnesota-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Vireo Health International, Inc. (CNSX: VREO;OTCQX: VREOF), the leading science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today announced that Amber Shimpa will be transitioning to the newly created role of Chief Administrative Officer on December 2, 2019.” READ: https://prn.to/2ryUdJ9
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