Minnesota has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the state, 7.4 percent, putting universal coverage within reach according to the Blues. The cost would be an estimated $900 million a year with potential annual savings of $560 million due to a healthier population and more productive workers.
Reitan talked about six key elements to achieving universal coverage:
- All individuals most be required to have basic health care coverage.
- If individuals refuse to purchase health insurance, Reitan says the state could assess tax penalties or have employers garnish their wages.
- Insurers must accept individuals who apply for their products. Insurers would no longer be able to reject people who apply who have health conditions.
- Employers do more to help their employees find appropriate health insurance.
- Create a system to simplify the insurance process.
- Encourages the state to do a lot more outreach to the estimated 59 percent of Minnesotans without insurance who are already eligible for public programs.
I am shocked a for-profit health insurer actually recommended universal health care coverage statewide. If only most states within the U.S. were on par with Minnesota and their absurdly low uninsured rate other states could potentially adopt similar changes. This is a step in the direction of insuring everyone in this country and creating a healthy society.
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