Gov. Tim Pawlenty today (Wednesday, Aug. 26) announced the expansion of a Web site geared toward providing the public health care information and also the awarding of $47 million in state grants to fight chronic disease.

The Dakota County Community Health Board was awarded $2.8 million with the Anoka County Health Board awarded a $2,3 million grant.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today (Wednesday, Aug. 26) announced the expansion of a Web site providing consumers health care information and the awarding of some $47 million in state grants to fight chronic disease.

(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today (Wednesday, Aug. 26) announced the expansion of a Web site geared toward providing the public health care information and also the awarding of $47 million in state grants to fight chronic disease.

The Dakota County Community Health Board was awarded $2.8 million with the Anoka County Health Board awarded a $2,3 million grant.

Other local health board also gained state funding.

Pawlenty heralded the addition of information on the prices paid by health plans for the 100 most common medical services onto a Web site run by a nonprofit, MN Community Measurement, as nation leading.

"And it wasn't easy to do,” said Pawlenty, speaking at a Capitol press conference. It took work, he said.

What's behind the curtain?

Pawlenty, who has criticized Democratic efforts in Washington at reforming health care, argued that providing consumers with information on the cost and quality of health care is what's needed to "see what's behind the curtain” in health care.

Department of Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan styled the state grants as nation leading and beneficial.

He deemed such information as "extraordinarily powerful.”

Pawlenty argued for consumer-driven health care reform, not "government-centric” reform.

According to Jim Chase of MN Community Measurement, the costs for the 100 most common medical procedures charged by some 110 providers can be found on the Web site — quality ratings for even more providers are listed there.

Chase indicated that the Web site, started in 2004, had received some 140,000 hits and showed that a thirst for health care information existed in the state.

He cautioned that the cost estimates don't necessarily transfer into direct costs to consumer because individual health care plans differ.

The Web site address is www.mnhealthscores.org

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan indicated that work taking place between state officials and health care providers will develop even more comprehensive information.

Basket of health care services

Within a matter of months, consumers will be able to find out the cost for the entire "basket” of health care services associated with a given illness, she explained.

Magnan called the 39 Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grants awarded by her department as nation leading, aimed at preventing costly chronic illness — some by attempting to change public behavior.

For instance, some of the Dakota County grant money will be used to develop nonmotorized transportation.

Gov. Pawlenty unveiled new, expanded Web site designed to distribute more health care information.

A number of the awards, such the one for Anoka County, are aim at establishing tobacco free school environments.

In addition to Anoka and Dakota counties, other local health boards were awarded grant money:

•Chisago County Community Health Board, $416,000.

•Kanabec-Pine County Health Board, $392,000.

•Morrison-Todd-Wadena County Health Services Board, $538,000.

•Sherburne County Community Health Board, $604,000.

•Washington County Community Health Board, $1.5 million.

House Health and Human Services Policy Committee Chairman Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said he found it "ironic” the governor was voicing support for SHIP when it was the House and Senate that preserved the program last session from funding cuts.

Thissen is a gubernatorial candidate.

But Pawlenty indicated that he might have cut the $47 million program but did not.

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)