The Minnesota Health Professionals Services Program helps monitor drug abuse and mental illness among healthcare providers. The diversion program allows healthcare providers with any mental, physical or psychological condition to continue working as long as they are enrolled in the program. Conditions of the program include drug tests, quarterly assessments and meetings with treatment advisers and case managers.
A report in the Star Tribune raised concerns that nurses were continuing to practice after failing out of the diversion program or were skipping or failing drug tests without consequence.
The proposed bill would require an immediate suspension for any participant who is not following the program’s guidelines while their case undergoes investigation.
Minnesota State Rep. Tina Liebling introduced the bill, H.F. 1898, in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Jan 13. Ms. Liebling is the chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee.
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