Minnesota House of Representatives

Accessibility menu

Menu

Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Matt Dean

301 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3018

For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520

Posted: 2009-12-08 00:00:00
Share on: 



NEWS RELEASE

FairCare Health Care Survey Results and Real Health Care Reform

FairCare Survey Results and Real Health Care Reform

By State Representative Matt Dean

For the second year, I have surveyed our community to find out what people are thinking about health care reform. With the 2009 FairCare health care survey results in, I wanted to share some of our residents’ attitudes on the debate, as well as my plans for turning your priorities into effective policy results.

The desire to maintain private health insurance care is clear. Of the 852 respondents, 76% hold a private insurance policy either individually, through a non-public employer, or through a public employer including schools and government. Respondents did voice their desire for reforms and protections within the market, as 83% agreed that insurance companies should be barred from rejecting applicants due to pre-existing conditions and 96% agreed that insurance companies should be barred from kicking people off insurance when they get sick.

Regarding the national health care reform proposed by Congress, 70% were concerned that the outcome may increase cost or reduce access to medical care. Respondents were split over a government-run option competing within the market, while 61% oppose a single-payer system. While this reflects national trends, polling by Rasmussen Inc. shows national support for the proposed federal reforms slipping to 38% to 41% since Thanksgiving. The results of our local survey were spread out over several weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

With these results in mind, I see the 2010 legislative session as an opportunity to make real health care reforms to deliver Minnesotans the affordable, accessible, quality health care they deserve. Strengthening the private market will make personal health insurance more affordable and provide increased healthcare choices for all Minnesotans. We can enable public program enrollees to go outside of Medicaid, Medicare and MNCare to buy the best value of care for their families. Medical malpractice reform can help curtail “defensive medicine,” lower costs, and institute a greater level of trust and confidence between doctors and patients.

These and other innovative reforms will reduce the cost of health care to our families while promoting high-quality, responsive health care delivery. As the 2010 legislative session nears, I welcome your continued feedback on health care reform. Health care is about people, not politics, and I am committed to creating the common sense solutions that will keep Minnesota a leader in health care and health care reform.

Sincerely,

Rep Matt Dean

News Items

Audio & Video

Galleries

No image galleries found

Minnesota House of Representatives  ·   100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN   55155   ·   Webmaster@house.mn