Progress in Minnesota

  • Access to mental healthcare is crucial for healthcare professionals' well-being, and it also enhances patient care outcomes. Ensuring that health workers can seek help when needed—without fear of judgment or barriers—is vital to both individual and public health.

    As of September 1, 2024, significant progress has been made. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation reports that 29 medical licensure boards, four nursing licensure boards, and one dental licensure board have committed to removing intrusive mental health questions from their licensing applications.

  • Minnesota is leading the way in reducing stigma in healthcare. Thanks to advocacy from the Minnesota Medical Association, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice has revised its licensure application to focus solely on current impairment, rather than past mental health history. This important change protects the privacy of healthcare professionals, encourages help-seeking behavior, and prioritizes both clinician well-being and patient safety. Recognized as a national best practice by the AMA, this change ensures that healthcare professionals can access the care they need, without fear of repercussions.

  • As of January 1, 2025, Minnesota’s provider credentialing process supports privacy and dignity. The new rules ensure that credentialing applications will not:

    • Require disclosure of past health conditions

    • Ask about current health conditions if the provider is undergoing treatment and able to practice safely

    • Request information about health conditions irrelevant to a provider's ability to practice competently, safely, and ethically

    This step is a significant move toward fostering a supportive environment for healthcare professionals. It helps eliminate barriers to accessing care and ensures that providers are able to maintain their health while continuing to deliver high-quality care to patients.

  • While Minnesota is making significant strides, healthcare professionals across the state and nation deserve access to mental health services without fear of stigma. The updated licensure and credentialing practices reflect a growing understanding that mental health care is integral to maintaining a healthy, effective healthcare workforce. Ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that all healthcare providers to all healthcare professionals and let's add a few of our partners, so it will read: - whether physicians, physician associates, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, dentists, and pharmacists.

  • The Minnesota Board of Dentistry changed its licensing questions so that dentists who participate in the Health Professionals Services Program or want to self-refer are not penalized for doing so and getting the help they need. The program monitors and assists licensees with physical, psychological and substance use disorders so they can still practice as long as they are accountable and compliant with the program.

    Licensure applications currently ask dentists if they have any diagnosed and/or treated mental, physical or cognitive condition or illness that has not been reported to the program and could affect their ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Another question asks the same thing about substance use disorders.