February 16, 2008
Senator John Marty, Chair
Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee
Room 320
Capitol Building
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
Re: SF 2324, Minnesota Health Care Act
Dear Senator Marty:
The LWVMN is pleased to support SF 2324. Following study and discussion,
our members nationally agreed that a basic level of quality health care at an affordable
cost should be available to all US residents. Minnesota can and should be
a leader in pursuing that national goal.
We believe that this legislation will achieve the important goal of ensuring
that all Minnesotans receive high quality health care, regardless of their income.
Other important criteria which the proposal also meets are equitable distribution
of services, efficient and economical delivery of care as well as advancement of
medical research and technology.
Lack of preventive care, the unequal access to health care and escalating premiums
for policy holders cause unnecessary human suffering as well as unsupportable costs
to families and businesses alike. We agree with Robert Kuttner, writing in
the New England Journal of Medicine (February 2008) that the market-based system
has failed to create health care, which is either efficient or equitable.
The Minnesota Legislature must begin today to construct a system which will serve
not only to meet the needs of the citizens of this state, but will be model for
the nation. SF 2324 provides a blueprint for achieving these two important
goals.
We urge the committee to approve SF 2324 as an important first step in creating
a comprehensive, affordable health care system in Minnesota.
Thank you for your consideration,
Other Public Statements:
