The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) legislative representative Megan Verdeja reports on the end of the 2025 legislative session and reflects on recent tragedies:
“First, we must acknowledge that it has been over a week since violence took Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, from us and gravely injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yevette. As many of you understand, our Capitol community is like a family and many of us have worked together for years, if not decades. More broadly, this is a profound loss for the entire state of Minnesota. Many, including Governor Walz, have said that Speaker Emerita Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential House Speaker in state history. Words cannot fully express the loss—not only of beloved lives, but of the sense of safety and security that our community has cherished. It is with heavy hearts that we return to work this week, but we know Representative Hortman would not want that work to stop.”
Contentious Legislature Ends in Special Session
The 2025 Minnesota legislative session finally concluded in a one-day special session on June 9.
As you may recall from previous session updates, the Legislature began the 2025 session with an even split between DFL and GOP members in the Minnesota House of Representatives and a one-seat DFL majority in the Minnesota Senate. With the House evenly divided, bipartisan cooperation became necessary to pass legislation. Committee leadership, floor schedules and even procedural rules required compromise, fundamentally altering how bills moved — or stalled — through the Capitol. This balance of power led to a more cautious policy-making environment, including the need for a special session to complete and pass remaining bills.
Both the House and Senate convened the special session at 10 a.m., Monday, June 9, to pass the remaining 12 budget bills that were not completed during the regular legislative session that ended May 19. Both bodies proceeded to work throughout the day and night, with the final body adjourning past 1 a.m., Tuesday, June 10.
Wins and Losses for MAFP Priorities
Medical Assistance Rate Reimbursement: Not Passed
An important focus for the MAFP during the 2025 session was aligning Medicaid reimbursement rates with Medicare rates for behavioral health and outpatient primary care. During negotiations, leadership compromised by centering the increase on mental health and did not raise reimbursement rates for outpatient primary care.
Mid-Year Formulary Changes: Passed
MAFP’s priority bill to prohibit mid-year formulary changes passed this session. Once an enrollee is established on a medication, the new law prohibits the plan from removing that drug from the enrollee’s formulary during the plan year.
Audio-Only Telehealth: Passed
Another priority that passed this session was the extension of audio-only telehealth coverage. Initially set to expire this year, audio-only telehealth coverage was extended through July 1, 2027.
Interpreter Access Work Group: Passed
The MAFP was part of a coalition that supported a bill to establish a spoken language health care interpreter work group. The work group must provide recommendations to the legislature to support and improve health care interpreter access across the state.
Other Health Policy Highlights from the 2025 Legislative Session
Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session produced several health care updates. Here are some key takeaways:
Repeal of MinnesotaCare Eligibility for Adults Who Are Undocumented
A major point of contention this session was the continuation of MinnesotaCare coverage for people with undocumented status.
The MAFP supported coverage, citing the importance of access to care and the costs of uninsured emergency care, while opponents feared increased undocumented immigration. Ultimately, the result was a compromise: children who are undocumented retain eligibility, while adults lose it. The legislation passed narrowly in both chambers. Further information can be found on the MAFP blog.
Mental Health Support for Providers
Funding was approved for MMA’s Treat Yourself First program, which promotes mental health care for health professionals.
Support for Rural EMS
A comprehensive rural EMS package includes:
- Ambulance training and staffing grants
- EMT education reimbursement
- Funding for operating deficits and uncompensated care
International Medical Graduate Licensure
A limited license pathway was created for international medical graduates to practice in rural or underserved communities while supervised. After two years and meeting specific requirements, a full license may be granted.
Non-Opioid Directive
Patients can now file a directive to prevent being prescribed opioids. Exceptions and provider protections are included.
Informed Consent for Sensitive Exams
Health professionals must obtain written consent before performing pelvic, breast, rectal or urogenital exams on unconscious or anesthetized patients, with limited exceptions.
Preventing Infant Abuse
Clinicians must provide caregivers with information about signs of infant abuse during a baby’s first well visit.
Medicare Supplement Changes
Minnesotans aged 65–70 can now enroll in Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting, with a one-time premium penalty.
Health Reinsurance Extended
The state’s reinsurance program is extended through plan year 2027, funded by federal passthrough dollars and group health plan assessments.
Federal Uncertainty Looming
About one-third of Minnesota’s budget depends heavily on federal funding, particularly for programs like Medicaid. This year, uncertainty from Washington posed significant challenges for legislators to plan effectively. Proposed federal cuts could result in a $1.6 billion shortfall in Medicaid funding alone, forcing state leaders to make tough decisions between reducing programs or finding new revenue sources. Governor Tim Walz has vowed to take legal action against any funding freezes.
However, if Congress enacts Medicaid cuts, the Governor may call a Special Session in the fall to address the state’s budget imbalance.
The 2026 Legislative Session will begin on February 17, 2026.
