Republican reforms improved affordability, expanded coverage for Minnesotans

(St. Paul, MN…) New figures show Minnesota led the nation in innovative healthcare reforms to improve affordability, expand coverage, and achieve better healthcare outcomes after implementing Republican initiatives set in motion in 2011.

$10.5 million in savings was realized by implementing results-based incentives for healthcare providers, such as a new program at North Memorial that helped emergency room high-utilizer patients by offering in-home visits by certified community paramedics. The legislation authored by Senator Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) and Representative Tara Mack (R-Apple Valley) reduced emergency room patient readmission rates by 65% and led to better outcomes for 4,000 patients by providing follow-up care after discharge and connecting them with a primary care provider, according to North Memorial.

“Knowing thousands of patients received outstanding healthcare in their homes and were able to stay out of the emergency room is truly extraordinary,” said Senator Rosen. “Minnesota has always been a leader in healthcare, but the reforms we started several years ago are now paying dividends to patients and taxpayers alike. Credit is due to all of the wonderful medical professionals, care facilities, and the Department of Human services who made this a reality.”

Mack added, “The community paramedic program is a prime example of the type of innovation needed in health care. This program has not only lead to great cost savings, but it allows for better quality care and better outcomes for patients. It is reforms like this that will continue to move Minnesota forward as the health care leader that it has always been.”

Substantial savings can also be traced back to reforms recommended by a healthcare reform task force established by Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Republican-majority legislature in 2010. Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), Senator Sean Neinow (R-Cambridge), and Representative Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) served on the task force which outlined eight strategies to expand access to coverage, reorganize payment systems to promote better coordination of care, and create environments that help reinforce healthy choices.

Senator Benson added, “Outcomes like this prove Minnesota has been making great strides in healthcare for years. I’m confident these results will only improve as long as we have the freedom to explore common sense reforms that work for our state, and avoid being shackled to a one-size-fits-all approach.”