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Health reform modified

Published (4/4/2008)
By Patty Ostberg
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The House Ways and Means Committee gave its support April 2 to a health care reform bill that had its controversial provisions removed by a previous committee.

HF3391, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth), would set aggressive changes to how the state pays providers for health care and manages chronic diseases. It would also set universal coverage goals of: 94 percent of people covered by 2009, 96 percent by 2011, 97 percent by 2012 and 98 percent by 2013.

“About 75 percent of the money spent on people in health care is spent on those with chronic diseases,” Huntley said.

Huntley said he worked closely with the Minnesota Medical Association to make changes to the bill, including the elimination of the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange. The exchange would have sold health plans to individuals and employers.

Also removed from the bill in the House Finance Committee March 31 were pay for performance measures and references to health plans used by small businesses.

The bill would pay for the changes with $43 million in 2009 from the Health Care Access Fund, $81 million in 2010 and $138 million in 2011. Huntley said after 2011 the costs are unknown, but they could be helped by savings from managing chronic disease better which the bill sets out to do.

Providers would submit bids for the total cost of care based on their prices to treat a set of chronic diseases.

A Health Care Transformation Commission would be created to coordinate health care transformation activities in the state. The responsibilities of the commission would include collecting data from providers on health care prices and quality, develop a implementation plan for health care payment system reform, and establishing uniform definition and methodology for calculating health care costs for providers treating patients.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the health commissioner would encourage state program enrollees and those with chronic diseases to select a primary care clinic or medical group and undergo an initial health assessment to identify preventable health care needs. The groups would coordinate care and develop a comprehensive plan for each enrollee.

The bill now goes to the House floor. A Senate companion, SF3099, sponsored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls), was approved 39-23 March 31. That bill was received by the House April 2 and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

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