MN HF641

Urges the Governor to request that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a medically underserved population in Minnesota.

Notes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience significant health disparities, poorer health outcomes, higher rates of chronic conditions, reduced access to care, higher poverty rates, and increased mortality.

Identifies that federal designation requirements mandate populations occupy the same geographic area, which excludes people with disabilities due to 40 years of civil rights advocacy promoting their integration into communities.

Explains that medically underserved population designation provides access to federal funding, grants, waivers, loan repayment programs, higher provider reimbursement rates, and targeted research funding.

References the 1986 Congressional provision allowing governors to request designation of populations with unique circumstances through the Governor's Exceptional Medically Underserved Population process.