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State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE PASSES LANDMARK HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
St. Paul, MN – State Rep. John Ward (DFL-Brainerd) voted for passage of a Health Care Reform Bill on Thursday, putting into place a series of initiatives that will transform health care in Minnesota.
"When my generation considered employment opportunities, our parents would ask, 'how's the pay?'" said Ward. "Today, we ask our kids, 'how's the health insurance plan?'".
"The right health care plan can make the difference between security and stability, or a life filled with worries about getting sick and paying the bills. This legislation will provide that security to every Minnesotan."
This bill, combined with the legislation passed last session, will extend health care coverage to an additional 100,000 Minnesotans. It will also lower costs for people with insurance, and set an affordability standard to prevent any middle-income Minnesotan from paying more than 8% of their income on health insurance.
"A recent survey by Families USA showed that over a million Minnesotans are paying more than 10% for health care, and a quarter of that number are paying over 25%," said Ward. "No wonder families are struggling – health care costs are becoming one of their highest expenses."
The payment reform component of the bill will actually reward doctors for keeping people healthy, according to Ward.
"Instead of just paying for high-end, expensive tests and procedures, this reform plan will also pay for preventative care, like quitting smoking or losing weight," said Ward. "This bill increases clinic payments for improving health, identifying problems early or managing expensive conditions."
The reform package is paid for with dollars from the Health Care Access Fund, which was created in 1992 to support MinnesotaCare, the state health insurance program for working people who do not have access to health care through their employer. The money in this fund comes 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 are very fortunate to have a funding source for this health care reform bill," said Ward. "We also have the support of a broad coalition of health care providers, members of the business and labor communities, insurers and citizens.
It's time to pass this bill that will significantly improve health care for every person in our state."
For more information on the Health Care Reform Bill, contact Rep. John Ward at 651-296-4333, or by e-mail at rep.john.ward@house.mn.
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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