SF 102

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; providing for a universal health care system that provides
affordable access to high quality medical care for all Minnesotans; requiring
a focus on preventive care and early intervention; providing comprehensive
benefits; reducing costs through prevention, efficiency, and elimination of
bureaucracy; increasing the membership and modifying the organization of
the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access; directing the Legislative
Commission on Health Care Access to prepare a plan to be implemented by
2010; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 62J.07; 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, is amended to read:

62J.07 LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

Subdivision 1.

Legislative oversight.

The Legislative Commission on Health
Care Access reviews the activities of the commissioner of health, the Health Technology
Advisory Committee, and all other state agencies involved in the implementation and
administration of this chapter, including efforts to obtain federal approval through waivers
and other means.

Subd. 2.

Membership.

The Legislative Commission on Health Care Access
consists of deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with
jurisdiction over health care policy, nine new text end members of the senate appointed deleted text begin under the
rules of deleted text end new text begin by new text end the senate new text begin Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and
Administration new text end and deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin nine new text end members of the house of representatives appointed deleted text begin under the
rules of the house of representatives. The Legislative Commission on Health Care Access
must include three members of the majority party and two members of the minority party
in each house deleted text end new text begin by the speaker of the house of representatives, in consultation with the
minority leader of the house of representatives new text end .

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Organization; chairs. new text end

new text begin The chairs of the senate and house of
representatives committees with jurisdiction over health care policy shall alternate every
two years as chair of the commission. Beginning July 1, 2007, the house chair shall chair
the commission for the first two-year term.
new text end

Subd. 3.

Reports to the commission.

The commissioner of health and the Health
Technology Advisory Committee shall report on their activities annually and at other times
at the request of the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access. The commissioners
of health, commerce, and human services shall provide periodic reports to the legislative
commission on the progress of rulemaking that is authorized or required under this
chapter and shall notify members of the commission when a draft of a proposed rule
has been completed and scheduled for publication in the State Register. At the request
of a member of the commission, a commissioner shall provide a description and a copy
of a proposed rule.

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 DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENTS.
new text end

new text begin The appointing authorities named in section 1 shall complete the new appointments
required by that section and any other appointments necessary to fill vacancies on the
commission no later than August 1, 2007.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 2 is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end