Current Actions
HMO Accountability and Transparency in Minnesota
Last year, Minnesota HMOs received $4 billion of your taxpayer money to administer publicly-funded health care programs. But these HMOs are not giving anyone reasonable accountability that the money is appropriately spent. We do not know how much of our money is spent on health care, and how much is spent on administrative costs.
Share Your Health Care Story
Our current insurance based system costs too much, covers too little, restricts our choice of doctor and micro-manages our doctor's treatment decisions. Perhaps you are one of the people who lost your family doctor because of a network change, or are stuck in an unsatisfying job because you need the insurance coverage. Perhaps medical bills have forced you into foreclosure or bankruptcy. Perhaps the treatment recommended by your doctor was denied by your insurance or the cost of the treatment prevented you from following your doctor's recommendation.
Tell us your story and help us put a human face on tragic consequences of our high cost private insurance system.
Download a form here. Please include your age and city.
Support the Wyden Brown Amendment
In early December 2010, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) introduced S3958, the “Empowering States to Innovate Act,” amending Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This amendment would remove a critical barrier for state single-payer. Section 1332 of the federal health reform bill, passed last March, allows states to apply for waivers to the mandated health insurance exchanges if the state develops an alternative plan that meets or exceed PPACA on access/ coverage, benefits and affordability. Unfortunately PPACA prohibits granting of these waivers until 2017, 3 years after the exchanges are set to go into effect. The Wyden/Brown legislation would allow states to propose their alternatives now and start implementing them in 2014, rather than investing time and money setting up a structure that they don’t plan to use. Please call Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar and ask them to support the Wyden-Brown Amendment S3958. Ask your Congressman/Congresswoman to introduce a companion amendment in the House. Call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 866-220-0044 and you will be connected to your Senators and Representatives. Let’s get this passed in the 2011 session!!
Read More Read the 2 Page Bill Download Explanation and Talking Points
Contact Your Legislator About Supporting the MN Health Plan
Contact your State Representative and Senator to let them know that you support the Minnesota Health Plan (SF 8/ HF 51), a single-payer system for Minnesota.
Volunteer for a Phone Bank to Mobilize Single-Payer Supporters
Phone banks are a very effective way to build political power. MUHCC hosts phone banks to update and mobilize single-payer supporters in Minnesota. Phoning is a vital tool in our campaign; by reaching out to constituents we can influence legislators to support the Minnesota Health Act. Phone banks are FUN, people are happy to hear from us, and ready to take action on health care. Training is provided.
All phone banks take place at COACT - 2469 University Ave. West, Suite W150, St. Paul, MN 55114. COACT is in the Strommen Building; there is a free parking lot in back.
Don Pylkannen talking with a single payer supporter