Minnesota has long been considered a leader in overall health, health care coverage and services. We're rated the healthiest state in the nation by the UnitedHealth Foundation. We have the lowest uninsured rate, at 7.4 percent. And we have the second highest rate of employer-sponsored health care coverage, at 63 percent. But cost increases are eating into employer profits, employee salaries and state budgets, making health care a competitive issue for employers and a quality of life issue for all Minnesotans. On average, Minnesota employers pay 80 percent of employee health care premiums. Unfortunately, rapid increases in the cost of health coverage can stunt wage growth and job creation.

Minnesota is not alone in facing these pressures. Those states that enact structural reforms which successfully engage individuals in decisions that improve overall health, control costs and improve the quality of care will be at a competitive advantage. Those that fail to do so will face increasingly difficult choices. With that in mind, the Partnership embraces principles for value-based competition to create a new, improved system for health care. And we encourage discussion around realigning the incentives for all stakeholders to move toward more productive competition.

Comprehensive reform
Health care reform should enable a market-based, patient-centered health care system that delivers quality care. The Partnership will work with others to develop and/or support systemic reform proposals consistent with our Vision.

Consumer protection
Appropriate state and federal regulations should be in place to protect consumers, while ensuring value – the combination of cost and quality - and enabling a market-based, patient-centered system. Protections should address issues such as insurance underwriting, individual affordability, benefit coverage, and provider/plan quality and transparency.

Public health care funds
State and federal health care programs should be structured to support a market-based, patient-centered system. Beneficiaries of state programs should be empowered to use providers/plans that deliver cost effective, quality care.

Government should avoid the historical practice of controlling costs by paying artificially low fees to providers and plans that result in cost shifting to the private sector. Government should use designated health care funds only for health care purposes. Revenue to fund public health care spending should rely on broad based, equitable sources.

Innovation
The state should enable plans, providers and employers to take steps to promote a market-based, patient-centered system and to promote healthy lifestyle choices. The self-insured market is a valuable vehicle for innovation and flexibility in health care.