Feb 10, 2009

The Minnesota Health Plan took another big step on February 10th when it passed the Senate Commerce Committee on a 7-3 vote.  Public support for the bill was evident in the overflow crowd present.

Compelling testimony was given in favor of The Minnesota Health Act.

• Lisa Sherman, a TakeAction member and parent of an autistic son, talked about the challenges of getting appropriate care for her child due to changing health care plans and changing rules about pre-existing conditions and qualified benefits. Two MUHCC members also testified.
• Ann Settgast M.D., co-chair of PNHP-MN, gave her perspective as an internist and explained how the MN Health Plan will simplify administration and allow physicians to make medically appropriate care decisions without interference from insurance companies.
• Nancy Breymeier, President of the Metropolitan Independent Business Alliance, spoke about the crushing burden of health care costs on small businesses and gave figures attesting to the centrality of small business in the MN economy.

Among those speaking in opposition was Mike Burress from the Association of Health Underwriters who drew gasps from around the room when he offered support for market solutions stating that people who earn more deserve to have better health care because "this is America."  Minnesota Council of Health Plans Julie Brunner's attempt to tell anecdotal horror stories about health care in other countries was rebutted by Senator Mary Olson who spoke of a fact finding trip she took to Canada.  Based on extensive conversations with Canadian citizens and physicians, Senator Olson reported that, "None of them would trade their health care system for ours . . . In fact they found it immoral that we don't have universal coverage . . . Canadians don't want any third party coming between them and their doctors."

Even those voting in opposition thanked Chief Senate author John Marty for bringing forth the bill, acknowledging that something needs to be done because our system is unsustainable.

• Voting in opposition were Republicans Gerlach, Vanderveer and Johnson.
• Voting in favor were Democrats Dahle, Marty, Metzen, Olson, Prettner Solon, Scheid and Skogen.

Hearty applause followed the roll call vote.

Thanks to all of you who made calls and visited legislators in support of the Minnesota Health Plan. You are making a difference!

If your legislator voted in favor of the Minnesota Health Act, contact them to thank them for their support!  (Click on their underlined names above to get their contact information.)

Media Coverage:

• Click here for a video clip from Kare 11 about the hearing.
• Click here to read a blog entry on the hearing by Mary Lahammer of TPT's Almanac.
• Click here to read an article on the MHP by Joe Kimball at MinnPost.com.
• Click here to read an article by Andy Birkey at the Minnesota Independent.

Multimedia:

• Watch a video of the hearing here (Real Media Format).
• Listen to an audio recording of the hearing here.