Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday (Feb. 5), expressing some discomfort,
indicated the newly released work of a health care task force could
provide the skeleton for reform legislation in the upcoming legislative
session.
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday (Feb. 5), expressing some discomfort, indicated the newly released work of a health care task force could provide the skeleton for reform legislation in the upcoming legislative session.
"Although I may disagree with aspects of the report, I am hopeful that significant health care reform can be achieved this year," Pawlenty said.
Minnesota basically sees good health care outcomes, but it does have a runaway system in terms of costs, explained Pawlenty at a Capitol press conference.
Indeed, absent of alternations, health care spending in Minnesota is expected to hit $44 billion by 2011, the task force notes.
The task force, which was composed of legislators, good government activists, professionals from the business and health care fields, outlined five core principles for transforming health care in Minnesota.
These include the need for trimming the weight of flabby Minnesotans - reducing alcohol, tobacco use - health care community collaborations, incorporating quality and accountability into health care costs, and reducing the size of the health care system.
Controversial recommendations
Two of the more controversial recommendations - at least with the governor - would require all Minnesotans to obtain health care by 2011 and also one calling for an increase in the price of tobacco products.
Health care providers and employers would also be encouraged to charge higher premiums to smokers.
Pawlenty opined that smokers had already been hit by the recent 75 cent per pack health care impact fee enacted by the state and he expressed no desire to do more.
"We've hit smokers hard enough," he said.
Pawlenty also questioned the idea of mandating health care coverage.
"All you end up doing is criminalizing poor people," he said.
But Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, House Health and Human Services Committee chairman and a member of the task force, indicated that mandating health care coverage might be avoided.
"We put in place basically targets on what level of uninsured folks we want to get to," said Thissen.
"And if we don't meet those targets as we move forward, that's kind of a trigger for a mandate," he said.
Thissen stressed the need for affordability in health care.
"Making sure we're getting affordable coverage out to people is one of the bottom lines that has to happen," he said.
"I think there are some things that are going to be fundamental to get into the Legislature," said Thissen.
ECM capitol reporter
Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday (Feb. 5), expressing some discomfort, indicated the newly released work of a health care task force could provide the skeleton for reform legislation in the upcoming legislative session.
"Although I may disagree with aspects of the report, I am hopeful that significant health care reform can be achieved this year," Pawlenty said.
Minnesota basically sees good health care outcomes, but it does have a runaway system in terms of costs, explained Pawlenty at a Capitol press conference.
Indeed, absent of alternations, health care spending in Minnesota is expected to hit $44 billion by 2011, the task force notes.
The task force, which was composed of legislators, good government activists, professionals from the business and health care fields, outlined five core principles for transforming health care in Minnesota.
These include the need for trimming the weight of flabby Minnesotans - reducing alcohol, tobacco use - health care community collaborations, incorporating quality and accountability into health care costs, and reducing the size of the health care system.
Controversial recommendations
Two of the more controversial recommendations - at least with the governor - would require all Minnesotans to obtain health care by 2011 and also one calling for an increase in the price of tobacco products.
Health care providers and employers would also be encouraged to charge higher premiums to smokers.
Pawlenty opined that smokers had already been hit by the recent 75 cent per pack health care impact fee enacted by the state and he expressed no desire to do more.
"We've hit smokers hard enough," he said.
Pawlenty also questioned the idea of mandating health care coverage.
"All you end up doing is criminalizing poor people," he said.
But Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, House Health and Human Services Committee chairman and a member of the task force, indicated that mandating health care coverage might be avoided.
"We put in place basically targets on what level of uninsured folks we want to get to," said Thissen.
"And if we don't meet those targets as we move forward, that's kind of a trigger for a mandate," he said.
Thissen stressed the need for affordability in health care.
"Making sure we're getting affordable coverage out to people is one of the bottom lines that has to happen," he said.
"I think there are some things that are going to be fundamental to get into the Legislature," said Thissen.
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