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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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MAYO CLINIC INVITES ATKINS TO TALK HEALTH CARE
ST. PAUL – People are usually concerned when they head to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to talk to about their health care options. But not State Representative Joe Atkins. “I’m elated," he said, “This isn’t just a great opportunity to discuss the future of health care with some of the nation’s leading doctors and experts, but it also shows that our 2020 group has arrived – that we’re in a position to help shape the future of health care.”
Representative Atkins founded the Minnesota 2020 Conference with fellow legislator Senator Geoff Michel in 2005 to find long-term, bipartisan solutions for Minnesota's many needs and challenges. Affordable health care was at the top of the agenda. Two years later, this 54-member group of forward-thinking Minnesota lawmakers, an almost even split of Democrats and Republicans, is heading to the Mayo Clinic – perhaps the nation’s leading medical institution – to discuss where our state is heading with respect to health care access and affordability.
"The 2020 Conference is a catalyst for progress on policy, in an environment too often dominated by partisanship and gamesmanship," stated Rep. Atkins. "If we are going to improve our health care system in this state it has to be done in a cooperative manner rooted in good policy and sound economics that will benefit all Minnesotans. A partisan approach would be dead on arrival."
Health care providers statewide have recognized the commitment and leadership of the 2020 Conference in their efforts to find strong and lasting bipartisan solutions for the state's looming health care woes. For that reason, the Mayo Clinic has invited Rep. Atkins and his colleagues to engage in a serious conversation this summer with doctors and Mayo administrators regarding health care policy. The conversation will be aimed specifically at more fully exploring all options for reform.
"Mayo Clinic is an unequivocal resource for our state when it comes to crafting effective health care policy," said Atkins. "Some of the greatest medical minds in the world live and practice right here in Minnesota. By sitting down with these key stakeholders, tapping their understanding of our health care system, and really discussing how we can move forward as a state, I believe we can come away from the table with a more solid plan for effective reform that will benefit everybody."
The bipartisan health care bill passed this session has already made some necessary reforms that will increase access to health care, lower costs, and provide coverage for 37,000 uninsured children. But many legislators, like Atkins, say those accomplishments are not enough.
"The progress we have made has been extremely important, but we still have a lot of work to do for the people of this state," said Atkins. "We need to continue our efforts to ensure that every Minnesotan has access to affordable health care and the security of knowing that their insurance companies will be legally bound to treat them fairly."
The 2020 Conference discussions at the Mayo Clinic will be taking place on September 6. Conference members will continue working throughout the interim with other legislators on policy initiatives to be discussed in the upcoming legislative session starting in early February.
In Atkins' words, "The time has come to move forward. Too many people are being left behind. Our state's population is increasingly aging and more and more middle-class and low-income Minnesotans are being denied access to a doctor because they don't have insurance or because they don't have the money to pay their skyrocketing premiums. Minnesotans deserve better, and we simply can't afford to delay significant and meaningful reform any longer."
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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