To the editor:
Much of the discussion at the Capitol this session has centered on taxes: raising, lowering, and broadening them. While we need to have that conversation, we should not forget about continuing and expanding government reforms.
In 1983, Gov. Rudy Perpich told the Legislature, “Solutions will come from the informed pragmatism of many Minnesotans determined to create new alternatives.”
As Perpich suggested, delivering services more efficiently can help Minnesota beat our “tax or cut” dilemma. Minnesota’s health care costs increase roughly 8.5 percent each year. This increase is well above inflation and is unsustainable.
Gov. Mark Dayton has introduced competitive bidding for state health care contracts to harness the power of the free market. This reform and other recent changes have saved Minnesota taxpayers more than $1 billion.
These reforms are a good start. The next step is to fundamentally redesign health care delivery and how we pay for it. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is starting a new partnership with six health care providers to test a new payment model that prioritizes quality, and prevention and rewards providers for achieving mutually agreed upon goals.
The initiative is expected to save taxpayers $90 million and provide better care for 100,000 Minnesotans over the next three years. I am hopeful this results-based system will be fully implemented across Minnesota in the near future—resulting in additional savings for taxpayers.
Reforming health care is an ongoing process. This session, I will embrace efforts to reform other state services including business permitting, pension programs, and early-childhood education. Making smart reforms will improve service quality and reduce costs for Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
John Benson
State Representative
Minnetonka-Plymouth
This letter originally ran in the Lakeshore Weekly News and Minnetonka Sun-Current.