Minnesota health commissioner calls state of health care ‘unsustainable’

The trend in rising health care insurance premiums and related costs can't continue, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said at Monday's Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center board meeting.

Insurance premiums are outpacing wage increases and inflation, Magnan said.

"Clearly, that's an unsustainable trend," Magnan said.

As health care costs rise, access to insurance and health care decreases and as costs go up, more employers stop providing health insurance as a benefit, Magnan said.

"We have an increased number of people on state programs and an increased number of uninsured residents."

As the state's health commissioner, her role is to make sure that "quality, accessible, affordable healthcare for all Minnesotans," is available, Magnan said.

There is no easy solution to the problem, Magnan said.

Her office has initiated reforms that will involve local public health agencies and local hospitals, clinics and doctors, Magnan said.

Health care providers will be asked to be more transparent in explanations of costs and services, Magnan said.

Prevention will be a key part of the reform as investment will be made in reducing the number of overweight residents and tobacco users, Magnan said.

The state is also encouraging health care homes for chronically ill or patients with complex conditions. Homes are systems of care involving coordinating the care of all the providers, Magnan said.

Hospitals such as Avera Marshall and the local doctors must be willing to think creatively in how services are provided and who their care partners are, Magnan said.

"As a board you can see the writing on the wall as to where (things) are going," Magnan said.

Boards may need to ask if they need to buy a 64-slice MRI machine and if that is critical to the care they must continue to provide, Magnan said.

Some pediatricians are considering creating offices on elementary school campuses to make it convenient for parents and students to make doctor visits, Magnan said.

Magnan believes prevention will be important, and the more state and health care providers can focus on preventive care, the more chronic conditions can be reduced in the population.

While health care providers have a role in prevention, there are also roles for citizens to take personal responsibility and communities to take responsibility for prevention, Magnan said.

People need to be responsible to exercise, while communities can encourage more exercise by having good sidewalks, bike paths and other options for residents, Magnan said.

It's a matter of "rolling up your sleeves and seeing what you can do," Magnan told Avera Marshall officials and doctors at Monday's meeting.

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