Health Care

Our current health care system is not working. We have great health care in Minnesota – it’s just that people can’t afford it.

Too many people in our area go without health insurance. And many of those who do have insurance can’t afford to visit the doctor when they get sick because their co-pays and deductibles are so high.

This isn’t a problem we can afford to ignore. People who don’t have insurance often end up in the Emergency Room when they’re very ill, and we all end up paying.

Individual responsibility is part of the solution. Yet we all know that fewer and fewer jobs are offering health benefits. And it’s pretty hard for individuals whose jobs don’t have health benefits to take responsibility when they can’t afford to buy insurance on the open market.

I’m committed to finding solutions to our health care crisis, and I believe Minnesota can continue to be a leader in innovative health care reforms.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I believe the following will be part of the solution:

• A commitment to the goal of universal health coverage
• Combined public and private sector solutions
• Greater emphasis on preventative care, which is cost effective and keeps us healthier.
• Assist small businesses in efforts to provide coverage to their employees.
• As a first step, we should make sure all kids in Minnesota have health coverage

In the end, the goal is a healthy, productive population. With one of the most advanced health care industries in the world, I believe this is a problem we can solve.