MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2008 - The MMA has been urging lawmakers to vote in favor of a health care reform package being considered by the Minnesota House Thursday.

The MMA supports the House version of the bill (H.F. 3391) because it no longer includes a controversial payment reform proposal known as Level 3, that proposed holding providers accountable for the total cost and quality of care. Instead, the bill includes a voluntary option for providers to innovate by offering bundled or package pricing for services.

The MMA’s lobbying team was at the Capitol Thursday distributing a letter from MMA President James J. Dehen, M.D., urging lawmakers to pass the bill.

“House File 3391, while not perfect, wisely addresses most of the key factors that must be addressed in order for comprehensive reform to advance – primary prevention through public health improvement; increased insurance coverage through eligibility changes and affordability thresholds; quality improvement through focused, expanded incentives; and opportunity for more innovative and flexible care delivery through realistic payment reform,” Dehen wrote in the letter.

The MMA also reiterated its opposition to the Level 3 payment reform.

“The MMA believes that a total cost of care approach to payment reform is a step backward to failed capitation models that patients soundly rejected. Such an approach fails to recognize the complexity of providers, services, and patient needs,” Dehen wrote.

If the House passes H.F. 3391, a conference committee will have to decide whether or not to include the Level 3 reform, which was part of the Senate’s health care reform bill that passed at the end of March.

The letter indicates that the MMA will continue to fight Level 3 during the bill’s end game.

“The MMA strongly opposes a payment system based on total cost of care that turns physicians into insurers and managers of risk,” Dehen said in the letter. “The MMA will vigorously oppose any efforts by the conference committee to move in that direction.”

The House is expected to debate the bill throughout the evening, stay tuned for more updates.

Click here to see the full letter.