Hospital surcharge temporary suspension provision, medical assistance program new base year for hospital rates establishment provision, and Minnesota Department of Health promulgated rules waivers authorization provision

This bill temporarily suspends a hospital surcharge and establishes a new base year for setting payment rates under Minnesota's medical assistance program, effective July 1, 2026. It also authorizes the state health commissioner to grant rule waivers to specific nonstate government teaching hospitals that have level I trauma centers and high utilization of public funds, provided there is a unanimous request from the hospital's governing board and nursing union. These waivers are intended to provide financial stabilization for eligible facilities, while the new base year and surcharge suspension aim to adjust how hospitals are reimbursed for their services. The legislation directly affects Minnesota hospitals, particularly those designated as teaching institutions with major trauma capabilities, and modifies existing statutes governing health care funding and administrative rules.