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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
LET’S MAKE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE AGAIN
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
This past week two of my colleagues in the Minnesota House of Representatives unveiled a health care plan that is drastically needed in Minnesota. This plan contained three core principles of what health care should be in Minnesota. They are: Freedom and Choice. Privacy and Security. No Government Takeover of Health Care.
In my many meetings with constituents throughout the district this past year, I’ve heard their concerns about the rising health care costs. For many seniors on fixed incomes the rising cost is really putting the pinch on their wallets. The state government can do a variety of things to help make the cost of health insurance affordable.
People need to be in charge of their own health. Lasik eye surgery costs have come down over the years because insurance didn't pay and people had to shop around. Quality was maintained and costs dropped. That is success. This debate must focus on empowering consumers with information and freedom to make choices. The health care system is starting to respond, even as the Lasik model has proven it to be possible.
By being in charge of your own health care, you can decide who knows what about your health status. Your concerns can stay between you and your doctor. If the government were to take control of the health care system, everything about your health background would be known to the government. That raises some real privacy concerns, given the all too frequent occurrence of privacy data being stolen or hacked.
Another common sense change we should implement is reducing the number of mandates on health insurance. Currently there are over 30 different mandates the state requires health insurance companies to have, with each one adding to the cost of insurance. If the state allowed people to buy cafeteria type health care plans, that is pick and choose which coverage they want, their health care insurance costs would decrease. A single male should not have to be covered for neonatal care. The male will not need that coverage. If we don’t mandate he be covered for that it will save him money.
By implementing just these two common sense changes we could drastically bring down the cost of health care. By reducing the cost we make it more affordable for people to be covered, for what they specifically need, and reduce the end cost at the hospital. If people have insurance they are more likely to seek medical attention before they have to go to the emergency room.
Approximately 7.4% of Minnesotans lack health insurance. Approximately one-half of them are already eligible for Minnesota state programs. It is estimated that another one-third would be able to be covered under the Republican plan. Industry experts have stated that the uninsured who consistently refuse to accept or who don't need coverage will hover around 2 to 3 percent.
These proposals are not the silver bullet, as there is no single proposal that will solve this issue over night. However, these proposals are the most fiscally responsible way to start the necessary changes in the health care system. Any reform measure must focus first on the individual and be based on real choices. There is no bona-fide market in health care. For some people health care seems free but we are becoming painfully aware that somebody has to pay. Increased choice, transparent pricing and shopping consumers will help drive down costs. Remember - Freedom and Choice. Privacy and Security. No Government Takeover of Health Care. I look forward to working for these changes next session.
News Items
- LIMITED SPENDING AND COMPETITVE TAXES GROW OUR ECONOMY - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:29PM)
- BOB DETTMER SWORN IN TO FOURTH TERM AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:28PM)
- April 5 Legislative Update - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
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