145.9268 COMMUNITY CLINIC GRANTS.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "eligible community clinic" means:
(1) a nonprofit clinic that is established to provide health services to low income or rural
population groups; provides medical, preventive, dental, or mental health primary care services;
and utilizes a sliding fee scale or other procedure to determine eligibility for charity care or to
ensure that no person will be denied services because of inability to pay;
(2) a governmental entity or an Indian tribal government or Indian health service unit that
provides services and utilizes a sliding fee scale or other procedure as described under clause (1);
(3) a consortium of clinics comprised of entities under clause (1) or (2); or
(4) a nonprofit, tribal, or governmental entity proposing the establishment of a clinic that will
provide services and utilize a sliding fee scale or other procedure as described under clause (1).
    Subd. 2. Grants authorized. The commissioner of health shall award grants to eligible
community clinics to plan, establish, or operate services to improve the ongoing viability
of Minnesota's clinic-based safety net providers. Grants shall be awarded to support the
capacity of eligible community clinics to serve low-income populations, reduce current or
future uncompensated care burdens, or provide for improved care delivery infrastructure. The
commissioner shall award grants to community clinics in metropolitan and rural areas of the state,
and shall ensure geographic representation in grant awards among all regions of the state.
    Subd. 3. Allocation of grants. (a) To receive a grant under this section, an eligible
community clinic must submit an application to the commissioner of health by the deadline
established by the commissioner. A grant may be awarded upon the signing of a grant contract.
Community clinics may apply for and the commissioner may award grants for one-year or
two-year periods.
(b) An application must be on a form and contain information as specified by the
commissioner but at a minimum must contain:
(1) a description of the purpose or project for which grant funds will be used;
(2) a description of the problem or problems the grant funds will be used to address;
(3) a description of achievable objectives, a workplan, and a timeline for implementation and
completion of processes or projects enabled by the grant; and
(4) a process for documenting and evaluating results of the grant.
(c) The commissioner shall review each application to determine whether the application
is complete and whether the applicant and the project are eligible for a grant. In evaluating
applications according to paragraph (d), the commissioner shall establish criteria including, but
not limited to: the eligibility of the project; the applicant's thoroughness and clarity in describing
the problem grant funds are intended to address; a description of the applicant's proposed project;
a description of the population demographics and service area of the proposed project; the manner
in which the applicant will demonstrate the effectiveness of any projects undertaken; and evidence
of efficiencies and effectiveness gained through collaborative efforts. The commissioner may also
take into account other relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the percentage for which
uninsured patients represent the applicant's patient base and the degree to which grant funds will
be used to support services increasing or maintaining access to health care services. During
application review, the commissioner may request additional information about a proposed
project, including information on project cost. Failure to provide the information requested
disqualifies an applicant. The commissioner has discretion over the number of grants awarded.
(d) In determining which eligible community clinics will receive grants under this
section, the commissioner shall give preference to those grant applications that show evidence
of collaboration with other eligible community clinics, hospitals, health care providers, or
community organizations.
    Subd. 3a. Awarding grants. (a) The commissioner may award grants for activities to:
(1) provide a direct offset to expenses incurred for services provided to the clinic's target
population;
(2) establish, update, or improve information, data collection, or billing systems, including
electronic health records systems;
(3) procure, modernize, remodel, or replace equipment used in the delivery of direct patient
care at a clinic;
(4) provide improvements for care delivery, such as increased translation and interpretation
services;
(5) build a new clinic or expand an existing facility; or
(6) other projects determined by the commissioner to improve the ability of applicants to
provide care to the vulnerable populations they serve.
(b) A grant awarded to an eligible community clinic may not exceed $300,000 per eligible
community clinic. For an applicant applying as a consortium of clinics, a grant may not exceed
$300,000 per clinic included in the consortium. The commissioner has discretion over the
number of grants awarded.
    Subd. 4. Evaluation and report. The commissioner of health shall evaluate the overall
effectiveness of the grant program. The commissioner shall collect progress reports to evaluate
the grant program from the eligible community clinics receiving grants. Every two years, as part
of this evaluation, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the needs of community
clinics and provide any recommendations for adding or changing eligible activities.
History: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 1 s 47; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 1Sp2005 c 4 art 6 s 39