TEETH: From UCare via Facebook, VERBATIM: “UCare's Mobile Dental Clinic is a one-of-a-kind #dentist office traveling everywhere in #MN to deliver care to our members. Next week, the UM Dental School-run clinic is at Fairview Community Center in Roseville.” SEE: http://bit.ly/2JTjuVf SCHEDULE: http://bit.ly/2KNBNMA (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
NEXTWEEK: Via Minnesota Department of Health, VERBATIM: “Starting Aug. 1, laws protecting Minnesotans from exposure to deadly secondhand smoke will expand to include the use of e-cigarettes and vapes. Under the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, the use of e-cigarettes and vapes, often called vaping, will be subject to the same prohibitions and restrictions as cigarette smoking, protecting Minnesotans from exposure to e-cigarette use in all restaurants, bars and almost all indoor workplaces and public places.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YjqcYo
HANDSFREE: Megan Goeltz, a mother and certified nursing assistant, was at a stop sign in February 2016 when she was hit and killed by a driver, who her family says was distracted by a cell phone. WATCH: http://bit.ly/2Gjshxv (SPONSORED: Department of Public Safety)
POT: From Minneapolis-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Vireo Health International, Inc. (CSE: VREO), a leading physician-led, science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today announced that the Company filed a patent application with United States Patent and Trademark Office for a multichannel vaporizer designed to hold at least two vaporizer cartridges. The device will allow a user to adjust the mixture of vapor coming from each cartridge using a simple interface. ‘Vireo Health is committed to helping consumers find their 'cannabis sweet spot' whether they are a connoisseur or a first-time user,’ said Founder and CEO Kyle Kingsley, M.D. ‘When developed, in addition to potential medical benefits, we expect that the multichannel vaporizer will allow consumers to control and adjust their own experience or even create their own custom blends of different strains, terpene profiles, and flavors.’” READ: https://prn.to/2Ygs5Fv
MNHS: From Peter Cox via Minnesota Public Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Historical Society is something like the state’s memory, preserving the state’s past. The society is also taking on the role of helping Minnesotans whose memories are waning because of dementia . . . In a room right off the front entrance to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, a dozen people sat around tables Tuesday afternoon, using an iPad app called House of Memories. It’s designed for people with dementia . . . The app pulls up photos of objects in the Historical Society's collection dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. People can select items and pull up information about them, but the app is primarily designed to get people talking about familiar objects from their past.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YcRM9S
2020ELECTION: From Mary Ellen McIntire via Roll Call, VERBATIM: “An advocacy group that supports the 2010 health law will launch a national tour next month with the hope of carrying its success from last year’s campaigns into the 2020 election cycle. Protect Our Care, a group formed to defend the law, plans at least 22 events in August across the country, according to information first shared exclusively with CQ Roll Call. The effort will highlight an issue that helped Democrats win control of the House last year and is likely to be a key issue in next year’s election . . . The tour is set to begin Aug. 5 and will hit 13 states, including those where Republican senators face competitive reelection races next year.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JQkKbv
MORE: The organization’s schedule says its tour will be in St. Paul August 12. Via Protect Our Care, VERBATIM: “‘Unlike the GOP, Minnesota Democrats in Congress are fighting to increase access and make health care more affordable, including lowering the price of health insurance premiums and prescription drugs. That's what Minnesotans want and that's what we need more of,’ said Protect Our Care Minnesota state director Jeremy Drucker.”
OPIOIDS: From Geoff Mulvihill and Riin Aljas via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “In 2012, as the death toll from the nation’s opioid crisis mounted, drug companies shipped out enough of the powerful and addictive painkillers for every man, woman and child in the U.S. to have nearly a 20-day supply. In some counties, mostly in Appalachia, it was well over 100 days. An Associated Press analysis of drug distribution data released as a result of lawsuits against the industry also found that the amount of opioids as measured by total potency continued to rise early this decade even as the number of pills distributed began to dip. The reason: Doctors were prescribing — and the industry was supplying — stronger pills.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YkPENe
COUNSELORS: Via January, 2018 news release from UCare, VERBATIM: “A grant from UCare will enable Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) to embed licensed drug and alcohol counselors in the Emergency Department to help assess UCare members for treatment with a highly effective addiction medication, and to connect these patients to community providers for ongoing medication treatment. These initiatives will benefit the community by providing cost-effective and research-based early medical response and long-term social support services to help opioid users conquer their addictions.” READ: http://bit.ly/2EsowUd (SPONSORED: UCare)
DRUGPRICES: From Michael Erman and Carl O’Donnell via Reuters, VERBATIM: “U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a sweeping executive order that would cut prices on virtually all branded prescription drugs sold to Medicare and other government programs, according to two industry sources who had discussions with the White House. The order under discussion would be much broader than the Administration’s previously disclosed proposal to lower prices on physician administered, or Part B, drugs by tying prices to lower costs in other countries.” READ: https://reut.rs/2YlpJoB
SENATEBILL: From Peter Sullivan via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar is calling Republican senators to encourage them to vote for a bill to lower drug prices being considered on Thursday in the Senate Finance Committee, according to sources familiar with the matter. The calls from Azar are a sign of the Trump administration’s support for the bipartisan deal between Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), amid blowback from some in the GOP. Many GOP senators have concerns with the proposal, worrying that it is too close to price controls on drugs, which Republicans have traditionally opposed.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JUEc7n
MORE: From Nicholas Florko via Stat, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers will wade through more than 100 potential amendments when the Senate Finance Committee takes up its sweeping new drug pricing package on Thursday. Some of the amendments could significantly rework the package, like an amendment from Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) that would eliminate the controversial provisions in the bill that would restrict drug makers from raising prices beyond the rate of inflation. A separate amendment from Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) would only allow that provision to go into effect if HHS certifies it won’t lead to higher launch prices.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JRwA5h
HEALTHSTOCKS: From Tatiana Darie via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Optimism is in short supply when it comes to health-care stocks as investors can’t see when the sector will recover from an array of regulatory threats. Plagued by concerns about drug pricing and jitters over proposals for a U.S. government-run system, health care has gone from the top-performing group in the S&P 500 Index last year to its worst in 2019. Facing an election in less than 16 months, President Donald Trump may have run out of time in this term to enact meaningful changes affecting the industry, but observers say political questions are still likely to overshadow business fundamentals . . . Investors this month yanked close to $900 million from the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) through Monday. That puts the fund on track to see the largest monthly outflow since February 2018 . . . The fund, which has outperformed the S&P 500 for the past four years, holds Becton Dickinson and Co., UnitedHealth Group Inc., Johnson & Johnson and Stryker Corp. among its top 10 holdings, its latest fact sheet shows.” READ: https://bloom.bg/2JTIeNf
BREASTIMPLANTS: From Peter Loftus via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Allergan PLC recalled certain textured breast implants from the market after U.S. health regulators said there was an increase in cases of a rare type of cancer and deaths among women receiving the implants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it asked Allergan to recall the implants because their continued sale ‘would likely cause serious, adverse health consequences and potentially death’ from a cancer known as breast-implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, which develops in the body’s immune system. The FDA noted that the type of textured implants in question are a small portion of implants sold in the U.S., but that the risk associated with Allergan’s implants was about six times the risk with similar types of implants from other manufacturers.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/2JRVyli
VR: From Amanda Ostuni via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Excelsior-based property development firm Oppidan Investment Co. on Wednesday announced plans to roll out VR tech at three of its elder care facilities. The firm is partnering with Minneapolis-based virtual reality company Visual to introduce VR tech at Shorewood Landing, White Bear Heights, and Highlands of Saint Paul. The facilities’ residents will gain access to Visual’s signature WellnessVR platform, which is designed to reduce stress and promote wellbeing. The facilities house more than 300 adults in total.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JRYaiT
TELEHEALTH: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “From 2014 to 2018, private insurance claim lines for non-hospital-based provider-to-patient telehealth grew 1,393%, according to a new white paper on telehealth from FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization. The study draws on data from FAIR Health's comprehensive repository of over 29 billion private healthcare claim records -- what it says is the largest in the country. This was a greater increase than for all other types of telehealth studied, and for telehealth overall, and the increase was greater in urban than rural areas. Claim lines for non-hospital-based provider-to-patient telehealth increased 1,227 percent in urban areas, and 897 percent in rural areas.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YhVDmf
ELDERCARE: From Kari Thurlow via LeadingAge Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Several elements of the new Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 take effect on Aug. 1, including retaliation protections, new fines, a maltreatment compensation fund, revisions to the Home Care Bill of Rights and the new Health Services Executive license.” READ: http://bit.ly/2Yjfy3S
SIGN up for MORNING TAKE: Begin your day with political news via morning take
from Fluence Media. Sign up here to receive it in your InBox. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/joinmorningtak
LONG-TERM: From Teresa Wiltz via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Long-term care insurance is, for most of us, prohibitively expensive. Employer-based health insurance doesn’t cover daily, extended care. Medicare pays for only a short stay in a nursing home or a limited amount of care at home. Ninety percent of Americans don’t have long-term care insurance — even though half of all people 65 and over will need such care at some point. Without it, seniors can go bankrupt paying for assisted living, nursing home care or home health care . . . Minnesota is considering two private-sector options to address the problem. One would be to require insurers’ supplemental Medicare policies to include long-term care. That approach would cost beneficiaries about $8 a month and would be limited to care at home, according to Lynn Blewett, who directs the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota. The other would be to allow the sale of term life insurance policies that convert to a long-term care product once the beneficiary reaches retirement age.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JR7CmI
SOCIALCARE: From Steven Ross Johnson via Modern Healthcare, VERBATIM: “CVS Health is rolling out a network to provide its most vulnerable patients with access to local support for their social care needs. The retail healthcare giant announced on Wednesday it will collaborate with social care coordinator platform provider Unite Us to launch a platform that will allow Medicaid and dual-eligible beneficiaries covered through its insurance arm Aetna to more easily find and access help from social care providers within their communities . . . the programs and services will initially be made available to Aetna Medicaid members in Louisville, Ky., and to the health plan's dual-eligible special needs members in Tampa, Fla., and southeastern Louisiana beginning later this year. The program's effectiveness will be evaluated next year by how well it connects members to services and addresses the help they need. The goal is to scale the service nationwide.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JT7K5d
NOVOTE: From Peter Sullivan via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Senate will not vote on a bipartisan measure aimed at lowering health care costs before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a joint statement that the Senate ‘does not have time before the August recess’ to consider the bill . . . Powerful doctor and hospital groups have been fighting the measure over its provision aimed at protecting patients from getting massive ‘surprise’ medical bills from out-of-network doctors. Doctors and hospitals are worried that the way the provision is set up will end up cutting their payment rates.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JSof1t
SANDERS: From Tal Axelrod via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled a plan Wednesday seeking to boost the number of black employees in the health care industry as the White House hopeful works to shore up support in Democratic presidential primary. Sanders's campaign unveiled the plan shortly after he appeared at a presidential forum in Detroit for the NAACP National Convention. The plan would work to train and hire more black health care providers and supplement his ‘Medicare for All’ plan.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JTweex
VEGGIES: From Nancy Yang via Minnesota Public Radio, VERBATIM: “For years, doctors have been urging their patients to eat more fruits and vegetables to maintain their health. But for many people — especially those who can’t afford to eat well or who have few fresh food choices nearby — that’s easier said than done. Enter the Hmong American Farmers Association and HealthEast. Since 2016, they’ve partnered to provide fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to patients, giving people the opportunity to eat healthier on a regular basis. In turn the Veggie Rx partnership supports local Hmong farmers and helps doctors build stronger relationships with their patients. Each week during the summer, families receive a HAFA community supported agriculture — or CSA — box brimming with fresh produce plucked from the fields in Vermilion Township. Veggie Rx boxes are free for patients.” READ: http://bit.ly/2YfeJJH
SIGN up for AG TAKE: Every M, W, F....Many people email and ask how to subscribe, so here’s a link to share with anyone who doesn’t already receive Ag Take. Please share. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/AgTake
5,000+: Over 5,000 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
HEART: From Vivien Williams via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “What do you really need to do to improve your heart health? Some people may think that you have to make sweeping lifestyle changes. Dr. Jordan Ray, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says small changes can add up to big improvements. He has information to bust three myths about heart health.” WATCH: https://mayocl.in/2Yk4BPR
NFL: From Linda Carroll via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Former players from the National Football League may face an increased risk of a type of irregular heartbeat that could lead to stroke, a new study suggests. Researchers found that retired NFL players were nearly six times as likely to develop atrial fibrillation as men of the same age in the general population, according to results published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.” READ: https://reut.rs/2YnSNw4
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
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)
via MORNING TAKE: Begin your day with political news via morning take
from Fluence Media. Sign up here to receive it in your InBox. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/joinmorningtak
UNIONS: There is a growing tension between MAPE and the Governor’s office that was palpable during a meeting among MAPE members and MAPE leadership on Tuesday. About 30 members gathered and discussed the stories of dismissed and suspended MAPE employees at DHS. Insiders suggest there are more changes coming at DHS, as the culture in key parts of DHS has grown toxic. MAPE did support Walz in the DFL primary, while AFSME supported Erin Murphy. The culture of the Walz adminstration regarding tolerance for poor performance or other issues is likely much lower than the Dayton administration, creating a new dynamic.
WESTSTPAUL: via Kim Johnson at WCCO, VERBATIM: “Physical health has always been important for police officers. But their mental health is now top of mind for one Twin Cities department. “How can you as a cop be expected to handle everybody’s issue if you’re not handling your own?” asked Officer Patrick McCarty of the West St. Paul Police Department. Officers in West St. Paul are now mandated to meet with a therapist. They’re getting help with not only their police needs, but also their personal ones. A stark contrast to 12 years ago, when one of the department’s officers fell through the cracks after a traumatic day at work.” READ: https://cbsloc.al/2GsXAGf
via BUSINESS TAKE: Subscribe to Business Take ---- Daily before noon making you smarter for lunch. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/biztakemt2
POT: From Angelica LaVito via CNBC, VERBATIM: “A much-hyped congressional hearing on easing cannabis banking restrictions served as a reminder Tuesday that reforming pot laws remains an uphill battle in Congress despite growing bipartisan support among lawmakers. The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hosted a hearing titled ‘Challenges for Cannabis and Banking: Outside Perspectives.’ Lawmakers, industry executives and advocates testified on the challenges cannabis companies face trying to get basic banking services in states where medical or recreational marijuana is legal. They urged lawmakers to change federal laws to give the budding industry access to traditional financial services. One piece of legislation, the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, would allow banks, credit unions and other financial institutions to work with the cannabis industry. Some think it could pass because it’s narrowly focused on banking and not other sticky issues like decriminalizing or legalizing pot. But Tuesday’s hearing showed just how hard getting the bill through the Senate would be. Aside from committee chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, none of the Republican committee members attended the hearing.” READ: https://cnb.cx/2JOoxWX
VIREO: From Minneapolis-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, a statement from CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley, KINGSLEY: “Common sense, bi-partisan legislation is an important step in the right direction and should help pave the way for cannabis businesses to gain full access to financial services, including the ability to allow customers to pay with credit cards, provide employees with top-tier retirement plans, and afford shareholders the benefits of owning public equity listed on a major U.S. stock exchange, such as the NASDAQ or NYSE. On a personal level, the banking issue has also impacted my family, as I have been denied a home mortgage because of my work in the cannabis industry. Stories like this are far too common in an industry that operates legally in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Let's continue to work together to end this madness.” SEE: https://prn.to/2JPtRJN
BRIGHTHEALTH: From Bruce Japsen via Forbes, VERBATIM: “(Minneapolis-based) Bright Health is the latest health insurer to announce plans to sell private Medicare Advantage plans in several new markets, hoping seniors flock to such coverage following federal rule changes that allow plans to offer more benefits. The startup insurer said it will add seven new markets in six states for 2020 . . . In Bright Health’s case, the new Medicare offerings are part of a major expansion of all of its business lines that include individual coverage, ‘family plans,’ Medicare Advantage and supplemental Medicare plans.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JOK4ie
via AG TAKE: Every M, W, F....Many people email and ask how to subscribe, so here’s a link to share with anyone who doesn’t already receive Ag Take. Please share. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/AgTake
STRESS: Via Minnesota Department of Agriculture, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) are teaming up to make copies of the Coping with Farm and Rural Stress in Minnesota brochure available at FSA offices in USDA County Service Centers across the state. The brochure highlights key resources that can help people struggling with financial, legal, emotional, and relationship problems.” READ: http://bit.ly/2JQ3hAg
UOFM: From University of Minnesota Extension via Faribault Daily News, VERBATIM: “Data shows 2018 to be one of the worst years for Minnesota farm income in decades. By all accounts, 2019 looks like more of the same. As difficult finances become the new normal, the University of Minnesota is offering a suite of assistance programs for farmers in Minnesota and around the country. Extension educators say their training programs, financial counseling and economic management courses have been popular with agriculture professionals throughout the state.” READ: http://bit.ly/2Yf5NnE
YOUTH: From Jessica Miles via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Extreme weather and a volatile agricultural economy is not only taking a financial toll on Minnesota's farm families. It is also having an emotional impact. Now the state is stepping up to offer help to children in these families that are feeling all of this stress. 4-H leaders, school counselors, agriculture lenders and clergy met at Ridgewater College in Willmar Monday for a first-of-its-kind workshop. ‘The kids aren’t being talked about and they are in a place knowing what’s going on, they can tell something is up, they can feel the stress,’ Monica McConkey said. McConkey is hoping to educate those who work with kids experiencing farm stress.” WATCH: http://bit.ly/2YirGlH
|
|
|
|
