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SEIU is working to ensure that every Minnesotan has access to quality, affordable health care.

MINNESOTACARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Governor Pawlenty’s proposal to cancel health care coverage for nearly 30,000 Minnesotans was held over for inclusion into the House Health Policy and Finance Committee omnibus bill.  HF1422 , authored by Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester), evoked heated testimony from those who opposed changes to MinnesotaCare eligibility. Critics of the bill claim people would delay needed medical treatment and end up seeking care in emergency rooms, driving up the cost of health care for all Minnesotans. The companion bill, SF1313  authored by Sen. Brian LeClair (R-Woodbury), is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health and Family Security Committee.

FIGHTING THE GROWTH OF HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS

SEIU MN State Council Executive Director Jon Youngdahl testified before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of Senate File SF 65  , authored by Senator Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls). This bill would require the Minnesota Commissioner of Health to set premium growth limits for health plan companies.  These premium limits could not exceed the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus three percentage points. The billed passed the Senate Commerce Committee on April 1 and was re-referred to the Finance Committee (SF 65).

HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT IDEAS

The House Committee on Health Care Cost Containment, chaired by Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), brought forth its own health care proposal last week. After eight weeks of public testimony, the committee summarized nine main recommendations on how to deal with the rising cost of health care. SEIU’s Jon Youngdahl testified before the committee about the dangers of health savings accounts (HSAs) and referenced findings from a recent HSA study released by SEIU Local 113.

The main recommendations are:

1. Put Minnesotans in the Driver’s Seat, including the promotion of HSAs;
2. Fully Disclose Costs and Quality;
3. Reduce Costs through Better Quality;
4. Change Incentives to Encourage Better Health Habits;
5. Assure Universal Participation in the Health Care System;
6. Reduce the Cost of Medical Administration;
7. State Leadership – The state of Minnesota can lead the way by better handling of its role as a purchaser, regulator, and provider of health care services;
8. Create a Buyers Alliance; and
9. Create a Public/Private Partnership.

The committee will submit their final recommendations to the House Health Policy and Finance Committee in the next few weeks.  For a full copy of the proposal, contact the committee legislative assistant, Jason Flohrs, at 651-296-5813.

BID TO LIFT CAP ON MINNESOTACARE BENEFITS PASSES SENATE

Legislation to repeal the limited benefits coverage for single adults without children on MinnesotaCare passed the Senate with a 49-17 vote and is headed for the House.  Currently, MinnesotaCare enrollees without children have a $5,000 limit for covered health services.  This provision was added in 2003 as an effort to hold down Minnesota’s rising health care cost and has proved too costly for low-income enrollees. The bill, SF 21, is backed on both sides of the aisle.

A YEAR LATER, LEGISLATORS FINALLY AGREE ON BONDING BILL

The Capitol Investment Conference Committee finally agreed to a $945 million bonding measure on March 30. The original Senate proposal called for $975.6 million in new bonding, compared to the original $780.3 million House proposal.  Among the bonding projects approved are:

• $37.5 million for the Northstar commuter rail, although Governor Pawlenty would not guarantee federal dollars would match state dollars for the project;
• $21.76 million for a University of Minnesota/Mayo Clinic biotech research facility;
• $18 million for the Red Lake School District;
• $213.6 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and
• $108.4 million for the University of Minnesota.

Click here for more information on the health care bills that we are currently tracking.