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With an insider’s eye, Hot Dish tracks the tastiest bits of Minnesota’s political scene and keep you up-to-date on those elected to serve you.

Contributors in Minnesota: Jennifer Brooks, Baird Helgeson, Mike Kaszuba, Patricia Lopez, Jim Ragsdale, Brad Schrade and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger. Contributors in D.C.: Kevin Diaz and Corey Mitchell.

Posts about Health care

Ellison moves to adjourn House to protest Obamacare vote

Posted by: Kevin Diaz Updated: July 10, 2012 - 12:57 PM

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U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., shut the House down for 15 minutes Tuesday by forcing a roll call vote on his motion to adjourn in protest of tomorrow’s expected vote on a GOP measure to repeal President Obama’s health care law.

 

Ellison called the GOP repeal measure – the 31st attempt to repeal “Obamacare” in whole or in part – “political theater at its worst.”
 
Noting that the GOP measure has no chance in the Senate, Ellison accused Republicans of wasting time.
 
“I move to adjourn,” he said, “because we’re not doing anything anyway.”
 
The floor debate on the "Repeal of ObamaCare Act" is being led today by Minnesota Republican John Kline.
 
Here's the floor action on Ellison:
 
 

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Former U.S. Sen. Coleman's group launches $1.2M campaign for health reform repeal

Posted by: Corey Mitchell Updated: July 10, 2012 - 7:38 AM

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The American Action Network, the advocacy group co-founded by former Minnesota U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, is funding a $1.2 million campaign to urge Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform law.

American Action's campaign attacks the law in Congressional districts where Republicans face tough re-election races key to maintaining their majority in the U.S. House, including Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District, represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack.

"[Cravaack's] a key member in the fight to repeal Obamacare," said American Action spokesman Dan Conston.

On Wednesday, House Republicans intend to force a vote on a repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law, which the U.S.  Supreme Court recently upheld in a ruling that said the law imposes a tax on anyone who doesn't buy insurance. The vote will make good on a promise by Republican leaders to try and repeal the law.

Beginning today, residents in Cravaack's district will receive direct mail, robo-calls and see print advertising as part of a campaign covering 35 Congressional districts across the country, stretching from California to New Hampshire.

Wisconsin Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy's district is also part of American Action's effort.

During the 2010 election cycle, American Action spent more than $25 million campaigning against Democrats and has already paid for other print advertisements and mailings for Cravaack and other vulnerable House Republicans this election cycle.

One of the key outside funding forces on the political right, American Action is one of several organizations rallying around the repeal vote. The conservative Americans for Prosperity advocacy group, founded by billionaire businessman and political activist David Koch, will run a $9 million television campaign this week.

Minnesota reacts to the Supreme Court decision

Posted by: Jennifer Brooks Updated: June 28, 2012 - 5:05 PM

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For Minnesota supporters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Thursday’s Supreme Court decision was a cause for celebration. For opponents, it was a shock and, perhaps, an opportunity.

Within hours, a conservative group, Americans for Prosperity, was announcing plans for a "Hands off My Health Care" rally in Bloomington, calling for the repeal of Obamacare since the courts had upheld its constitutionality.

“Politically, this is probably the best thing that could have happened,” said Sen. Sean Nienow, adding that the decision to uphold the healthcare law could be better for the conservative movement in the long run than if the health insurance mandate had been struck down. “It fires up the base…This could be a victory for those of us who oppose this law.”

Gov. Mark Dayton hailed the decision, which he clears the way for Minnesota to implement the Affordable Care Act.

“I am very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act," Dayton said in a statement. "This ruling is also an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care.   We have long been a national leader in healthcare reform -- a reputation that will be enhanced as we work with private and public sector leaders to implement the Affordable Care Act in Minnesota.”

Democrats and Republicans alike used the Supreme Court’s unexpected 5-4 vote to uphold the healthcare policy as a fundraising springboard.

“Victory,” DFL state party chairman Ken Martin declared in a morning press release. “Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, which will expand health coverage, lower out-of-pocket costs and end insurance industry abuses like denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions,” Martin wrote in an email appealing for donations to Democratic candidates and causes. “The Supreme Court did not bend to political pressure from the right — they did what was right.”

“ObamaCare still alive,” the Minnesota GOP tweeted in alarm, following up with a fundraising appeal of its own. 

“As President Obama and Democrats in Minnesota claim victory today, the Supreme Court’s decision is a reminder that ObamaCare is a massive tax increase on all Americans and another broken campaign promise, and that their victory will be short-lived as voters reject it in November,” the party said in a statement. “While we are disappointed that ObamaCare wasn’t repealed today, we are ready to elect conservatives to Congress this fall who will repeal and replace ObamaCare in its entirety.”

In an afternoon press release, state Republican Party Chairman Pat Shortridge went on the offensive, suggesting to Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegations: "Don't you think you and President Obama owe you constituents an apology for being dishonest and denying this was a tax?"

“The Supreme Court upheld ObamaCare today because, in their view, it is a tax,though supporters, including the president, insisted it wasn't when passing the bill. Minnesotans deserve answers from our representatives who supported the bill," he said in a statement.

 House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, warned that the law, which passed two years ago, would "smother the economy," and hurt Minnesota industry, as well as uninsured workers who will be forced to buy health insurance.

“Look no further than Minnesota’s medical device industry for how Obamacare will slam our economy and kill jobs.Innovative companies that employ highly-skilled workers in well-paying jobs will now be socked with a tax increase for their efforts," Zellers said in a statement. "We are never going to reach our full economic potential when Democrats punish success in order to expand government."

His Democratic counterpart, House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said the ruling should settle the healthcare debate "once and for all" and clear the way for Minnesota to implement Obamacare.

“For Minnesota, this ruling serves as a call to move forward and lead. It creates a real opportunity to build a better health care system for all Minnesotans," he said in a statement. "We need to roll up our sleeves and work to implement the health care law in a way that builds on our nation-leading health care system in Minnesota to improve care and make it more affordable for all Minnesotans.”

Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, blasted the health care law's cost, as well as the health issues that it does not address.

"The surprising Supreme Court decision today clarifies one thing: ObamaCare is a tax," Senjem said in a statement. "Most decision-makers generally agree that there are four issues that need to be addressed in the health care debate: access, affordability (cost), quality and over-utilization. Unfortunately, ObamaCare addresses only access, and at a very high price that adds more expenses to a system already drowning in high cost.

The federal ruling was particularly poignant for the lawmakers who have been spearheading the healthcare debate at the state level.

Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson cheered the Supreme Court decision.

“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act,” she said in a statement issued on behalf of  the commerce and health commissioners as well. “ This ruling is an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve health and lower the cost of care. ”

“Today’s ruling is a truly historic moment for our country. Upholding of the Affordable Care Act, not only means that Americans will have coverage and health care security, but also that we as a nation are moving forward to ensure a more just and healthier country,” Assistant House Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said in a statement. “Moving forward, I hope we can push aside the political stalemate of the last two years and work together with Republican colleagues to effectively implement these policies so Minnesotans and people across the country can reap the benefits for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

“The benefits of fully implementing the Affordable Care Act are going to be very real for Minnesotans and their families. Most notably for adults and children who currently cannot purchase insurance because they have a pre-existing condition. The Affordable Care Act fixes this policy, making it possible for all to purchase insurance to keep them and their families healthy.

The ranking Democrat on the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee, Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, said Minnesotans will thrive under the health care reforms.

“The benefits of fully implementing the Affordable Care Act are going to be very real for Minnesotans and their families," he said in a statement. "Most notably for adults and children who currently cannot purchase insurance because they have a pre-existing condition. The Affordable Care Act fixes this policy, making it possible for all to purchase insurance to keep them and their families healthy."

For Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the ruling of what he sees as a “partisan political overreach” left him “saddened.” He also issued a video statement.

“I am saddened to learn that the Supreme Court has abandoned the principle that the U.S. Constitution limits the power of Congress, and that the American people no longer have the right to participate in the health care system on their own terms without heavy mandates and penalties,” Hann said in a statement. “This excessive intrusion by the Federal Government was enacted in the most partisan way conceivable – no Republicans voted for it and a number of Democrats voted against it…. We need to elect political leaders who are committed to limited government, and who will work to repeal this law and return decision making on health care to individual citizens and the several states.”

The announcement lit up Twitter, Facebook and email inboxes in every corner of the state.

“Justice [John] Roberts helped to make America better today---Kinda a nice Birthday Gift,” tweeted Rep. Leon Lillie, DFL-North St. Paul, whose birthday happened to coincide with a watershed Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court’s ruling does leave the door open for states to opt out of the Affordable Care Act, prompting Rep. Tina Liebling to tweet: “ States that fought ACA will answer to their own populations if they don't expand MA. Low-income people will see why state elections matter.”

“Today would be a good day to donate to conservative candidate campaigns,” tweeted Sue Jeffers, who just so happens to be running as a conservative candidate for the Ramsey County Commission.

Republican Kurt Bills, who is challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, sent out what might be the shortest press release of the day: “It’s official: Amy Klobuchar voted for the largest tax increase since the imposition of the income tax. That isn’t a plan for economic recovery and job growth.”

Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, tweeted his skepticism about the shift in the GOP message from "unconstitutional" to "tax increase."

"Not a very good pivot to tax increase, since nobody is actually paying the tax," Winkler tweeted. "Sounds more like desperately seeking new spin."

"RIP #Liberty..... #Obamacare," tweeted Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria.

When the SCOTUSblog tweeted that the Supreme Court ruling meant taht "Obama administration wins," Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, counter-tweeted: "*AMERICA Wins."

State Rep. Doug Wardlow, R-Eagan, tweeted: "Court rules that Obamacare is a huge tax increase; Constitution in tatters. Time to focus on repeal and free-market reform."

Minnesota interest groups also weighed in on the Supreme Court ruling.

Planned Parenthood of Minnesota released a statement, celebrating the decision: "Because of today’s ruling, millions of women will have access to birth control without a co-pay starting in August 2012 – protecting their health, saving them money, and giving them control over whether and when to start families. For women, birth control isn’t a political or social issue – it’s basic health care and an economic concern.”

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued a statement, saying: “Today is a great day for working Americans. The Supreme Court’s decision clears the way for millions of people to have the access to the affordable, high quality health care that had previously been denied...Minnesota’s union members worked hard to make this law a reality, and we are pleased the court affirmed its constitutionality. Now that this issue has been settled, we are hopeful our elected leaders will come together to craft policies that get middle class Americans back to work.”

 

 

 

 

Franken looks to strengthen patient debt collection and privacy rules

Posted by: Corey Mitchell Updated: June 28, 2012 - 4:27 PM

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U.S. Sen. Al Franken introduced legislation Wednesday designed to stop debt collectors from approaching patients in emergency rooms, delivery wards and intensive care units and require health provide to take steps to protect patient medical information.

The Minnesota Democrat introduced the legislation in response to two hearings he convened, including a field session in St. Paul where former patients at Fairview Southdale Hospital testified that the hospital's former debt collector, Accretive Health, pressured them for payments in the emergency room.

The U.S. Treasury Department proposed banning debt collection activities in the emergency departments of non-profit hospitals. Franken aims to expand that ban to cover all hospitals.

"Minnesotans should be able to see their doctor without being harassed for payment when they're in pain in the emergency room and without worrying that their private information will end up in the wrong hands," Franken said in a statement.

The bills would prohibit debt collectors from approaching patients in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or labor or delivery department and would require health providers to encrypt laptops and other portable devices that store patient health information.

A thief stole an unencrypted laptop in July 2011 from an Accretive employee's rental car. The computer contained sensitive information on 23,500 patients of two Minnesota health systems, Fairview and North Memorial Health Care.

Fairview cut ties with Accretive Health after Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson sued the firm for alleged patient privacy violations and aggressive debt-collections practices. North Memorial remains an Accretive client.

White House touts health care law rebates in Minnesota

Posted by: Kevin Diaz Updated: June 21, 2012 - 3:35 PM

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The White House is touting a new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showing that 123,000 Minnesotans will get rebates totaling $9 million this summer because of President Obama’s health care overhaul.
 
The rebates are a result of a measure sponsored by U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care, as opposed to administrative costs.
 
Franken greeted the report as “great news for consumers.” The average checks will be $160.
 
The data from the Department of Health and Human Services was distributed Thursday through the White House press office, which has been highlighting the state-by-state effects of the new law in recent days as the Supreme Court readies a ruling on its constitutionality.

inside the StarTribune