Samantha Florian
Bruce Anderson
Public Health
September 11, 2009
Minnesota’s Health Care Reform
My article is titled “MMA Works for a Healthy Minnesota”, it is from the Minneapolis paper the
Startribune. The Minnesota Medical Association is the Minnesota Medical Association it was founded in
1853 and currently has over 10,000 memberships held by area physicians. Through many public health
issues here in Minnesota the MMA has been at the front pushing for “smoke-free workplaces…
including restaurants and bars… supported many public health programs, like clean water and
food safety that have improved the lives of Minnesotans.” (French, 2009)
A big issue for the Minnesota Medical Association now like many other people is the
health care reform. In 2004-3005 they drafted “Physicians’ Plan for a Healthy Minnesota” and
their suggestions went to the group “Healthy Minnesota” that their members included physicians,
state senators, state legislators, CEOs of health plan organizations and representatives from
business and labor. The MMA’s suggestions had a strong impact on legislation in 2008. Their
recommendations include Essential services for all. They suggest health coverage for all
Minnesotans through a mix of private insurance and government funded programs such as
Medicare and Medicaid. Coverage from insurance of services that are essential which includes
preventative care. Lastly, creating what they call “Health Care Homes”; which is a doctor or
clinic that is patient’s contact for medical advice and support. They feel these Health Care
Homes are essential is preventative health.
In President Obama’s speech on Wednesday night he spoke of the same suggestions that
the MMA has. They both feel that in the health care reform, health care needs to be a
combination of private insurance and government funded insurance. I feel that this is would be a
great change to health care.
Many small businesses cannot afford to carry health insurance with their company so too
many people are walking around without health insurance. I think this will still give an
opportunity for insurance companies to stay in business for businesses who can afford it. My
question to this change though is how much will this affect the taxes, are they going to double,
triple? Also, will people who have private insurance be able to get government funded insurance
if it is made more readily available? I don’t believe they should, if you are offered insurance
through your employer I think you should take that insurance. I also feel that insurance
companies need to change their policies. To many do not offer preventative health, no coverage
to see a dietitian or to sit down with a pharmacist and go over medications. During the summers I
work for Fairview Clinics and we offer appointments with a pharmacist for people who are
taking a lot of medications to sit down with them and go over what each one is for, what they do
for that person, why they are taking them and what they may or may not interact with. I feel this
is a great way to prevent any overdoses in medications for patients, really making sure that their
medications don’t interact with each other and a great way for the patient to have a piece of mind
about what they are taking especially if they are elderly and may not have the education on
medications as other. The only problem with this is that as of right now only one insurance
company is covering this and we accept over 45 insurances. Also at the clinics, there are
dietitians but only patients with diabetes or a hormone deficiency are really seeing them in clinic.
I feel that this is a great idea for those patients but focus should be broadened. People who suffer
for obesity should be covered to see a dietitian in clinic as well as people who need to gain wait.
Food is fuel for everyone’s body and I believe everyone should have access to a educated
professional if they feel the need. With making government funded medical care more accessible
I am concerned that to many will take advantage. Many people on Medicaid come into clinics for
unessential reason. They all too often have to health care coverage’s; they receive free rides to
the clinic when two weeks before they have driven themselves. They are also offered
interpreters, which is a fabulous opportunity for those who really do not know English and do
need the help, but I can’t count on fingers and toes how many times I have checked in a patient
when the interpreter is late and they understand and speak English perfectly fine, but the know
the interpreter from their personal life and want them to make more money so they request them
at their appointments. I should not judge and stereotype every person into one category but
working where I have for almost four years it is frustrating.
In conclusion the Minnesota Medical Association has recommendations for new health
care reform which goes along for the most part with the health care reform the President Obama
would like. Medical insurance should be available to all, preventative care should be offered and
a “Health Care Home” should be offered, which is a center that people can call and speak with a
physician about medical advice. The MMA believes that this Health Care Home will help
prevent Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma and depression. I
believe that these reforms are a great change. If this is not done I think everyone believes
something needs to change. My only concern is cost, our country is in a recession and can we
really afford these changes right now, will our country crumble if we don’t make these changes?
Bibliography:
French, L. (2009). MMA Works For A Healthy Minnesota, Minneapolis Startiribune, 1-2