Just a few quick notes, as we are jammed for space with all of our convention items…
There has been a great deal of activity, some of it unexpected, on the healthcare front. Multiple (bipartisan) bills have surfaced in the legislature, as well as an executive order from the governor, targeted at clearing some of the murkiness from healthcare accounting and oversight. We see this as a good sign, a sign of potentially tangible reform.
There are folks, who have been in the middle of this health reform fight for dozens of years, who are also urging caution related to making bold proclamations about what benefit these “new” initiatives will provide. I say “new” because these same folks cite many similarities to reform activities that happened in 1993, when the term “managed competition” was the catch phrase for reform that took place in that era. Elements of competitive bidding and risk-sharing designed to improve cost and access were part of the 1993 efforts, similar to what is happening now in Minnesota. Naysayers liken it to rearranging “deck chairs on the Titanic,” to coin a phrase.
Seven County and GMHCC folks who have been working on the health reform issue since the formation of our coalition have taken a more optimistic approach. Recent developments, though similar in nature and substance to those of 1993, feel different. There is a broader base of support even though the polarization of today makes 1993 pale by comparison. If, in this polarized climate, you can agree on substantial parts of reform like excess reserves and lack of accountability, you can make substantial progress towards improving the healthcare system as we know it. This is the nearest thing to a breakthrough on real health reform in Minnesota that we have had in almost 30 years, or since the time when HMOs were first given carte blanche, and a blank check, to run the show. Yes, we need to stay involved in the process to make sure that the teeth are in the final bill(s), and yes, we need to keep reminding ourselves that everyone needs encouragement and support to stay true to their principles, values and goals for healthcare reform; that’s the advocate’s job. That doesn’t change; that’s our job.
The entrenched powers of the HMOs are quite overwhelming and seem to increase exponentially every day. It could give the faint of heart reason to walk away from the process of trying to reform this massive insurance company bureaucracy. Fortunately and thankfully, we are not faint of heart…
See you at the convention on April 14th!
