HometownSource Blogs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today (June 26) released a state by state “snapshot” of the nation’s health care system.

The report — based on the latest statistics, say officials — graded Minnesota’s overall quality of health care as “strong.”

But it also graded the state’s quality of chronic care as “average.”

Some statistics: 3.6 million Minnesotans get health insurance on the job — family premiums average $13,184, or almost the equivalent to having someone working full-time to pay, officials note.
Since 2000 the average family premium has increased by 90 percent in Minnesota, according to the report.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius argues that the report findings highlight the need for health care reform.

“I’m confident we’re going to get a bill passed and to the president’s desk,” she said to region reporters today.

In taking questions, Sebelius indicated that while it may be possible for Democrats to pass a health care bill out of the U.S. House without bipartisan support, the mechanics of the U.S. Senate requires its.

“It’s an American issue,” she said, also adding that health care is one issue Americans take personally.

President Obama is pushing for a public health care plan in addition to private plans.

The president has budgeted some $630 billion over the next ten years for health care reserve fund, though also believes the amount is inadequate overall.

In a recent letter to congressional leaders, the president stressed the need for a health care reform package to be budget deficit-neutral.
In taking questions, Sebelius indicated the idea that businesses may drop their health care coverage, encouraging employees to enroll in the public plan, is worrisome.

“There is concern about so-called ‘dumping,’” she said.

But the administration’s idea of the public plan is that would be for the uninsured or underinsured, she said.