Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

Representative Paul Thissen’s Reaction to the Federal Health Insurance Bill

The Federal Health Insurance bill passed by the US House of Representatives late last night is an important first step to reforming our health care system.  As I’ve traveled around the state, the biggest concerns facing Minnesotans is the high and accelerating cost of health care and the denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions. I want to thank our federal partners for their leadership on those issues, including making sure a public option was included in the bills final passage.

Of course, this bill is not without its flaws and I’m hopeful that after conference committee, more aggressive payment reform measures are included.  We need to reduce costs by paying for the right things and the federal government should look to Minnesota for successful ideas. The final bill also needs to make sure Medicare geographic payment inequity is addressed in a meaningful way.       

Much will remain to be done in Minnesota, but this first step from the Federal Government is welcome help to the aggressive health care reform we already have underway here in Minnesota.