MINNEAPOLIS, April 17, 2008 - MMA leaders kept in contact with legislators and officials in the governor’s office this week as policy makers try to seize the best opportunity to pass significant health care reform the state has seen in years.

Both the House and the Senate have passed health care reform bills. The MMA supports the House bill and opposes the Senate bill because it includes the problematic "Level 3" language that if passed would have providers submitting bids for the total cost of care.

The MMA supports the provisions in the bills that include public health initiatives, eligibility increases, and payment reforms related to chronic disease management, health care homes and quality of care.  

The next step in the process is for the House and Senate bills to go to a conference committee to work out the differences between the bills and agree on a final bill that can be passed again by both houses and signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

On Friday, April 11, MMA CEO Robert Meiches, M.D.; Janet Silversmith, the MMA’s policy director, and Dave Renner, the MMA’s director of state and federal legislation, met with high ranking officials in the Minnesota Department of Health and the governor’s office to discuss whether there was reform language that could be acceptable to all sides.

It was a productive meeting, in which the MMA reiterated its position that it wants health care reform to pass this year, but it cannot support Level 3 and payment systems that require providers to accept insurance risk through total cost of care bids.

The conference committee for the bills (H.F. 3391/S.F. 3099) is scheduled to meet for the first time Monday morning, April 21.

Please contact your lawmaker and urge them to oppose Level 3 payment reform.