Accessibility menu
State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
SUCCESSFUL HEALTH CARE REFORM REQURES EVERYONE COMING TO THE TABLE
ST. PAUL Business leaders, labor groups, and health care organizations joined members of the House Health and Human Services Committee today to advocate for action on health care reform in the 2008 Legislative Session. In one unified voice for progress, this group of committed health care leaders expressed their concerns about Minnesota's current health care system and offered solutions that will move Minnesota forward.
"Minnesota's health care system needs reforming," said State Representative Kim Norton (DFL Rochester) who was one of five lawmakers present for today's announcement. "Health care costs have skyrocketed over the past several years, with most families experiencing double-digit premium increases year after year. Minnesotans literally cannot afford to go any longer without comprehensive health care reform. We have an opportunity the change that."
Rep. Norton has played an active role in leading efforts for health care reform at the State Capitol since being elected in 2006. As a member of the Health and Human Services Committee and a participant of the Health Care Access Commission, she has been working throughout the interim and legislative session to develop creative, effective health care solutions that will reduce cost and increase access to health care coverage for all Minnesotans.
Members of the Governor's Health Care Transformation Task Force and the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access have also been working over the last nine months to develop a comprehensive set of reforms designed to reach the goal of affordable, accessible and comprehensive health care for all Minnesotans.
"The unique thing about these efforts is that everyone has been on board, offering innovative ideas and unwavering commitment to the cause of comprehensive health care reform," said Norton.
"Members of the business community, health care providers, lawmakers, and the Governor's office have taken these efforts seriously, working closely to find consensus on a plan to move forward with this session," Norton continued. "This is an issue affecting everyone beyond the Capitol doors. Our efforts have reflected the diversity of interests involved, and tapped the power of leadership in every facet of the issue."
State Representative Tom Huntley (DFL Duluth) who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee agreed saying, "This is the time for real leadership. We have a unique opportunity to make progress on health care reform this session. Let's not squander it. The members of these commissions have shown tremendous leadership and worked hard to find common ground on this important issue. We can see a way forward. We need to take it."
Reform recommendations put forward today by lawmakers include:
§ Focusing on prevention and public health;
§ Allowing doctors and other health care professionals to practice the way they want to practice;
§ Setting an affordability standard for Minnesotans who make up to 400% of poverty ($41,600 for one person, $84,800 for a family of four);
§ Containing health care costs; and
§ Changing the payment system to reflect care for the whole person, not just procedures.
"These are the first steps toward real progress on health care reform," said Rep. Norton. "This is the time to move forward."
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.