HF 479

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access
to design a universal health care system; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 62J.07, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 144.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 62J.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Membership.

The Legislative Commission on Health Care Access
consists of deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin ten new text end members of the senate appointed under the rules of the senate and
deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin ten new text end members of the house of representatives appointed under the rules of the house
of representatives. The Legislative Commission on Health Care Access must include
deleted text begin three deleted text end new text begin seven new text end members of the majority party and deleted text begin two deleted text end new text begin three new text end members of the minority party
in each house.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [144.7055] UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Legislative Commission on Health Care Access. new text end

new text begin The Legislative
Commission on Health Care Access established under section 62J.07 shall design a
universal health care system for Minnesota that meets the requirements specified in
subdivision 2. The commission shall prepare proposed legislation for submission to the
legislature by January 31, 2008, to establish a universal health care system for Minnesota
to take effect in January 2010. The proposed legislation must meet all of the requirements
specified in subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements for universal health care system. new text end

new text begin The commission's
proposal to the legislature under subdivision 1 shall be designed in a manner that:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensures all Minnesotans receive high quality health care, regardless of their
income;
new text end

new text begin (2) allows patients the ability to choose their own providers;
new text end

new text begin (3) does not restrict or deny care or reduce the quality of care to hold down costs, but
instead reduces costs through prevention, efficiency, and elimination of bureaucracy;
new text end

new text begin (4) provides comprehensive benefits, including all coverage currently required by
law, complete mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, prescription drugs,
medical equipment and supplies, dental care, long-term care, and home care services;
new text end

new text begin (5) is funded through premiums and other payments based on the person's ability
to pay, so as not to deny full access to all Minnesotans;
new text end

new text begin (6) focuses on preventive care and early intervention to improve the health of all
Minnesotans and reduce later costs from untreated illnesses and diseases;
new text end

new text begin (7) ensures an adequate number of qualified health care professionals and facilities
to guarantee timely access to quality care throughout the state;
new text end

new text begin (8) continues promoting Minnesota's leadership in medical education, training,
research, and technology; and
new text end

new text begin (9) provides adequate and timely payments to providers.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end