Health Care Law News And Analysis

Gov. Pawlenty Voices Support for Universal Coverage and Smoking Ban

Governor Tim Pawlenty recently outlined his Administration’s goals with regard to health care policy, calling for universal health coverage in Minnesota, a statewide smoking ban, a ban on prescription drug advertising, financial incentives to providers who use electronic medical records and a number of other changes to the health care industry.

According to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty stated that Minnesota’s long term goal should be universal coverage. While he could see where a state mandate might be helpful, the governor noted that there are a number of steps that must be taken in reaching this objective.

As a starting point, he urged lawmakers to advance legislation providing health coverage to the 70,000 children statewide who currently lack benefits. Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-63A) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7), who has been mentioned as a possible chair of the Senate Health and Family Security Committee in 2007, have each championed this proposal in their respective chambers during previous legislative sessions.

The governor also called for more accountability from health plans, saying that the state must determine whether Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have been successful at controlling costs and improving the quality of health care. He also voiced support for authorizing a uniform system of billing codes among insurers to reduce administrative costs and delays.

Restating a goal from his first term in office, Gov. Pawlenty called for more progress in paying doctors and hospitals based on performance and quality vice the volume of procedures. Specifically, his agenda stated that doctors should be rewarded for low cost and high quality.

Throughout the campaign trail, many DFL candidates listed expanded access to quality health care as a primary goal in Minnesota. At the beginning of the 2006 legislative session, the Senate DFL Caucus called for the state to use a current surplus in the Health Care Access Fund to restore cuts made to state run health programs in 2003 and 2005. Given the bipartisan support for a common goal, there is a good chance that the 2007 legislative session may be defined by significant reforms to the health care industry.

www.locklaw.com

Disclaimer


Home > Practice Areas > Health Care Law > Health Care Law News And Analysis
Lockridge Grindal Nauen Our People Government Relations- State and Federal Practice Areas Events Endorsements Media Community Summer Associate Program Contact Us Map & Directions Health Care Law News and Analysis Notes Clients	Health Care Law News And Analysis Gov. Pawlenty Voices Support for Universal Coverage and Smoking Ban Governor Tim Pawlenty recently outlined his Administration’s goals with regard to health care policy, calling for universal health coverage in Minnesota, a statewide smoking ban, a ban on prescription drug advertising, financial incentives to providers who use electronic medical records and a number of other changes to the health care industry. According to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Pawlenty stated that Minnesota’s long term goal should be universal coverage. While he could see where a state mandate might be helpful, the governor noted that there are a number of steps that must be taken in reaching this objective. As a starting point, he urged lawmakers to advance legislation providing health coverage to the 70,000 children statewide who currently lack benefits. Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-63A) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7), who has been mentioned as a possible chair of the Senate Health and Family Security Committee in 2007, have each championed this proposal in their respective chambers during previous legislative sessions. The governor also called for more accountability from health plans, saying that the state must determine whether Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have been successful at controlling costs and improving the quality of health care. He also voiced support for authorizing a uniform system of billing codes among insurers to reduce administrative costs and delays. Restating a goal from his first term in office, Gov. Pawlenty called for more progress in paying doctors and hospitals based on performance and quality vice the volume of procedures. Specifically, his agenda stated that doctors should be rewarded for low cost and high quality. Throughout the campaign trail, many DFL candidates listed expanded access to quality health care as a primary goal in Minnesota. At the beginning of the 2006 legislative session, the Senate DFL Caucus called for the state to use a current surplus in the Health Care Access Fund to restore cuts made to state run health programs in 2003 and 2005. Given the bipartisan support for a common goal, there is a good chance that the 2007 legislative session may be defined by significant reforms to the health care industry.
www.locklaw.com
Copyright 2008 Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer