National Health Reform National Health Reform Overview & Overview & BenefitsBenefits to to

Minnesota Minnesota

Lauren Gilchrist, MPHOffice of U.S. Senator Al Franken

Three Key Elements of Three Key Elements of Health Insurance ReformHealth Insurance Reform

1. Insurance market reforms

2. Individual responsibility/mandate

3. Subsidies/tax credits State-based exchanges Medicaid/Medical Assistance expansion

Often-OverlookedOften-OverlookedBenefits of Health ReformBenefits of Health Reform

Public Health and Prevention Fund/ National Prevetion Strategy

Incentives for workplace wellness

Workforce Commission and investments

Federally-qualified community health centers

Often-OverlookedOften-OverlookedBenefits of Health ReformBenefits of Health Reform

Long-term care insurance program (The CLASS Act)

Administrative simplification (ie less paperwork)

340 (b) drug discount program

Clinical trials

Indian Health Care Improvement Act

What health reform means for What health reform means for Minnesota…Minnesota…

Small employers

Uninsured adults

Kids

Seniors

Retirees (not yet eligible for Medicare)

Providers/hospitals

What about…What about…Cost containment, “bending the cost

curve”

The state budget

The federal deficitReduces the federal deficit $143 billion by 2019

and more in the following decade 1

Extends solvency of Medicare for 12 additional years 2

Implementation process

1 Elmendorf DW. Congressional Budget Office , March 20, 2010. http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11378/PreliminaryReconciliationTables.pdf

2 Foster RS. Estimated financial effects of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” as amended. Baltimore: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, April 22, 2010.

It has been saidIt has been said…..by Senator Tom Harkin (IA),

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP)

Health care reform isn’t a mansion. It’s a starter home, with a solid foundation, a strong roof, and room for expansion.