October 16, 2006

 

Minnesota's Healthy Lead is Starting to Slip

Minnesota's high ranking as a healthy state is in danger of slipping. In particular, we have a pipeline problem in the form of reduced prenatal care, early screening for poor children, and increasing childhood obesity.

Some of the contributing factors are described in "Can we close the coverage gap?", Minnesota Physician magazine (Sept. 2006). Here's a summary of points from the studies, "The Coverage Gap" and "Health Insurance Coverage in Minnesota," reported by the MP magazine authors.

While Minnesota has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation, the state's rate of uninsured increased by 30% between 2001 and 2004 — from 5.7% to 7.4%. The picture looks much worse for some, especially those served by the MinnesotaCare insurance program for the poor, which had its funding cut in 2001. Subsequent restoration of some funds has failed to restore coverage levels.

Minnesota's large employers helped keep down the state's low uninsurance rate, but that's changing:

Employers, the insurance industry, the medical profession, struggling families and the government all have a stake in solving the problems caused by the insurance gap, which ultimately adds to the costs borne by all. But politically, a legislative solution can't focus only on the poor, when middle income families' budgets are also being stretched by healthcare costs.

Healthcare is a key contributor to the state's economic growth and prosperity. Here are some groups working toward access to affordable care for all Minnesotans.

Cover All Kids Coalition Minnesota Medical Association Health Care Reform Task Force Healthy Minnesota: A Partnership for Reform Cover the Uninsured Week


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