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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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PREVENTION, PAYMENT REFORM AND EXPANDED COVERAGE INCLUDED IN HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
St. Paul, MN – A significant health care bill was passed on the House floor on Thursday, putting in motion reform measures that will lower costs, expand coverage for uninsured Minnesotans, and improve care for everyone.
State Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) supported the bill, saying it greatly improves a health care system that no longer works for the majority of Minnesotans.
"Health care is quickly becoming one of the top concerns for Minnesotans, and not just the uninsured," said Poppe. "This bill addresses those concerns in a significant manner, and has the support of legislators on both sides of the aisle, health care and business representatives, labor, insurance providers, HMO's and patients."
One of the key provisions of the reform package is to change the way we pay for health care in Minnesota, focusing on keeping people healthy instead of only treating serious illnesses.
"It is estimated that approximately 83% of health care spending is to treat chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes," said Poppe. "A much better approach would be to put more effort into preventing those diseases from becoming serious.
This is a win/win situation for the patient, the medical community, and for overall health care savings."
According to Poppe, the bill, combined with the health care bill passed last session, will add coverage for an additional 100,000 Minnesotans. It also sets an affordability standard for health care in Minnesota, putting coverage within reach of every Minnesotan.
"A recent survey by Families USA indicated that about one million Minnesotans are spending more than 10% of their income on health care, and a fourth of that number spend 25%," said Poppe. "This bill sets a standard that no middle class Minnesotan will pay more than 8% for health care."
The reform measures in the bill are paid for by the Health Care Access Fund, a self-supporting fund that receives its revenues from provider taxes (including hospitals, surgical centers and other health care providers), premiums on behalf of MinnesotaCare enrollees, a 1% gross premiums tax, and federal matching funds.
"We have the funding and the support of a broad coalition of stakeholders to improve health care and lower costs for all Minnesotans," said Poppe. "This legislation will once again make Minnesota a national leader in health care reform."
If you have questions, please contact Rep. Poppe at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 487 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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