April 9, 2010: SHADAC's Lynn Blewett and Julie Sonier testified yesterday at an informational hearing before the Minnesota Senate Finance Committee's Health and Human Services Budget Division (Senator Linda Berglin, Chair). The hearing was held in order to clarify the immediate and pending effects of federal health reform on Minnesota's health care system. The committee also hoped to identify what the legislature and state agencies will need to do to both ensure compliance with new regulations and take advantage of optional provisions that might benefit Minnesota.
Dr. Blewett spoke to the Committee about public program expansion and eligibility changes under the new federal legislation, along with new regulations for Minnesota's private insurance market and employers. She also addressed the implications of reform for Minnesota's high-risk pool and discussed issues related to operationalizing an insurance exchange in Minnesota.
Ms. Sonier addressed delivery system and payment reform under the federal legislation. She pointed out that the federal reforms are generally quite similar to those in Minnesota's 2008 health reform bill.
Other speakers at the hearing included representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services.
View slides from Dr. Blewett's and Ms. Sonier's testimony.
Link to SHADAC's list of resources regarding health reform in Minnesota.