What is The Minnesota Health Security Act

The Minnesota Health Security Act would ensure comprehensive, affordable health care for everyone in Minnesota, starting with Minnesota’s children.

Under the Minnesota Health Security Act:

• All children would be eligible for comprehensive health coverage by 2010 (Phase I)
• Adults would be provided with access to coverage for which they pay no more than 5% of their family income by 2012 (Phase II)
• Benefits would be comprehensive (including mental health, ›vision and dental)
• Public programs would be streamlined and simplified to eliminate barriers and create efficiencies
• An independent study would be commissioned to identify and evaluate reforms that produce greater efficiencies and cost containment

The Minnesota Health Security Act would:

Provide Greater Financial Security to Minnesota Families. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and hard-working families are picking up more of the bill than ever before. The Minnesota Health Security Act would provide greater financial stability to families by providing health coverage to all children without co-payments or premiums. The second phase of the program would also ensure that coverage available to adults is affordable, costing no more than five percent of family income.

Ensure that All Children Have the Opportunity to Succeed. Research has shown that children with health care coverage perform better in school and miss fewer days than their uninsured counterparts.x The Minnesota Health Security Act would ensure all Minnesota children have access to health care coverage so they can achieve in school and in life.

Provide Relief to Minnesota Businesses. Escalating health care costs are an increasingly heavy burden for Minnesota businesses to shoulder, especially small businesses. The Minnesota Health Security Act would aid businesses by providing an affordable alternative for health coverage, starting with all children in the state. Achieve Savings in the Health Care System. The Minnesota Health Security Act would generate savings by streamlining current health care programs, reducing “uncompensated care,” and evaluating how to achieve better value from the health care system.

Invest in Better Health. Many factors influence the overall health of children and adults, but access to health coverage is a critical component. The Minnesota Health Security Act would invest in better health by first ensuring that all Minnesota children have access to the care they need, when they need it. The Minnesota Health Security Act is a needed investment in the health, economy and future of Minnesota. Affordable, comprehensive health care for everyone in our state is a goal that we can and will achieve.