SF 383

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a working group to design a universal health
care system; directing the commissioner of health to present a plan for
universal coverage to the legislature; proposing an amendment to the Minnesota
Constitution, article XIII, by adding a section, affirming that every Minnesota
resident has the right to a basic set of essential, effective health care services;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.

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

Section 1. new text begin ASSUMPTIONS.
new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this act, the legislature makes the following assumptions:
new text end

new text begin (a) The objective of our health care system is health, not just the financing and
delivery of health care services.
new text end

new text begin (b) We cannot achieve the objective of "health" unless all individuals have timely
access to a basic set of effective health care services.
new text end

new text begin (c) Public resources are finite and therefore the public resources available for health
care are also finite.
new text end

new text begin (d) Finite resources require that explicit priorities be set through an open process
with public input to determine what will and will not be financed with public resources.
new text end

new text begin (e) Those with more disposable income will always be able to purchase more health
care than those who depend solely on public resources.
new text end

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 Commissioner's working group. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health
shall establish a working group to design a universal health care system for Minnesota.
The commissioner, after considering the recommendations of the working group, shall
submit to the legislature, by January 15, 2010, proposed legislation to establish a universal
health care system for Minnesota to take effect January 1, 2012.
new text end

new text begin (b) The working group shall include: health care providers; consumers, including
representatives of persons with disabilities; employers, counties, and other payors; health
policy and health care quality researchers; representatives of health plan companies; and
representatives of relevant state agencies including, but not limited to, the Departments
of Health, Human Services, and Commerce. The process of developing the universal
health care system must formally include the participation of all stakeholders, including
public input and engagement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The working group shall receive staff and administrative support from the
Department of Health and other state agencies represented on the working group.
new text end

new text begin (d) The working group is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6, except that
members receive compensation only for expenses. The working group expires January
15, 2010.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

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

new text begin In designing a universal
health care system, the working group and the commissioner shall consider the following
principles:
new text end

new text begin (1) all individuals shall be eligible for and have timely access to at least the same set
of essential, effective health care services;
new text end

new text begin (2) financing of the health care system must be equitable, broadly based, and
affordable to all individuals;
new text end

new text begin (3) if the provision of universal coverage is to be phased in, the first stage of the
phase-in must extend health coverage to all children;
new text end

new text begin (4) the individual, the health care system, and the community shall share
responsibility for optimizing health, and health promotion and disease prevention efforts
must be emphasized and strengthened;
new text end

new text begin (5) the system must provide information, resources, and incentives for individuals to
actively participate in activities to keep themselves well and take part in decision making
about their health;
new text end

new text begin (6) the relationship between specific health care services and desired health
outcomes must be backed by unbiased, objective medical evidence;
new text end

new text begin (7) the criteria for and evidence used to support decision making must be clearly
defined and accessible to the public;
new text end

new text begin (8) health care expenditures must be managed to ensure sustainability over the
long term, using efficient planning, budgeting, and coordination of resources, and must
be based on public values and a recognition of the importance of public expenditures in
ensuring affordable access to care;
new text end

new text begin (9) financial incentives must be aligned to support and invest in activities that are
consistent with the principles stated in this subdivision; and
new text end

new text begin (10) the delivery of care and distribution of resources must be organized to take
place at the community level, unless outcomes or accountability can be improved at
regional or statewide levels.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
amendment is adopted, a section will be added to article XIII, to read:
new text end

new text begin Sec. 13. new text end

new text begin Every Minnesota resident has the right to a basic set of essential, effective
health care services. It is the responsibility of the governor and the legislature to implement
all legislation necessary to ensure timely and affordable access to these services.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the people at the 2008 general
election. The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to state that, effective January 1, 2012,
every resident of Minnesota has the right to a basic set of essential, effective health care
services and that it is the responsibility of the governor and the legislature to implement
all legislation necessary to ensure timely and affordable access to these services?
new text end

new text begin Yes ....... new text end

new text begin No ......." new text end