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In 2008, the MMA helped enact health care reform legislation that includes many aspects of the MMA's vision for reform - The Physician's Plan for a Healthy Minnesota. The reform bill sets general goals and timetables but leaves the details of implementation to work groups and the commissioner of health.

The MMA is making sure that physicians are involved in developing the details of reform. The MMA has appointed physicians to important groups that are overseeing the reform effort and hammering out the details. 

To keep members informed and gather feedback, the MMA held a series of Advocacy Rounds throughout the state and sent members a special report on health care reform - The Road Ahead.

 

A reform leader
The MMA has taken a leadership role in health care reform, bringing together physicians, legislators, educators, and executive leaders of health plans, hospitals, clinics, and consumer groups to develop a comprehensive health care reform plan.

The MMA supports health insurance for all Minnesotans, a strong public health system with an emphasis on disease prevention, systems that support high quality health care, and a health care delivery market focused on value.

The health care reform bill's author, Rep. Thomas Huntley, DFL-Duluth, credited the MMA and its Physicians' Plan for a Healthy Minnesota with starting the process that led to the passage of the historic legislation. 

Gov. Tim Pawlenty signs the health care reform bill  May 29, 2008. Behind him are Rep. Thomas Huntley, DFL-Duluth, (far left), and MMA Board Member David C. Thorson, M.D., (second from the left).  "It was the MMA and their report that actually led to what we're discussing today," said Huntley at the signing.

The MMA’s reform plan stirred interest and discussion, after being released in 2005.  In March 2006, the MMA brought together influential leaders in health care, business, state government, labor, education, and consumer advocacy to form an independent group, Healthy Minnesota: A Partnership for Reform.

The MMA's reform plan served as the starting point for the partnership, but the independent group developed its own vision for the future and proposed legislation in 2007. That legislation and the relationships developed by the Partnership for Reform helped to lay the groundwork for the passage of the 2008 reform bill.

Health Care Reform: The Road Ahead (special supplement to Minnesota Medicine Sept. 2008)
The MMA's health care reform vision
The Health Care Reform Bill signed June 12, 2008 (S.F. 3780)
MMA One Page Health Care Reform Act Handout (July 2008)
Healthy Minnesota bill introduced in 2007.
Healthy Minnesota: A Partnership for Reform, a broad group of health care leaders working on health care reform. 
Physicians' Plan for a Healthy Minnesota 
Health Care Transformation Task Force (State of Minnesota)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Health Care Cabinet

News Releases

March 8, 2007 — Physicians Support Healthy Minnesota Bill
March 7, 2006 — Physicians Launch Health Care Reform Partnership
January 24, 2005—MMA Physicians Propose Health Care Reform Plan
March 29, 2005 — Sen. Kiscaden and Rep. Abeler Introduce Health-Care Reform Bill

For more information, contact Janet Silversmith.