Pawlenty rolls out new health care proposals
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/07/art.pawlenty.1007.gi.jpg caption="Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is building up his national profile."](CNN) - As Democrats in Washington work to push health care reform through the Senate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty rolled out a series of new health care initiatives on Tuesday that he plans to introduce during next year's legislative session.
The Republican, who is contemplating a White House bid in 2012, made clear that the proposals are intended to be a "market driven" contrast to President Obama's health care plan currently being debated in Washington. Along with the official policy rollout in St. Paul, Pawlenty also published an online column trashing the Democratic health care bill that ultimately emerged from the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday as "a tax and spending bill masquerading as a health reform bill."
His new three-pronged plan to reform the state-run health care system is anchored by a proposal to let Minnesotans purchase health insurance plans across state lines. If enacted, Minnesota would become the first state to allow residents to buy health care from out of state. That plan, he said, would foster more private sector competition to help reduce costs.
The second proposal would establish a "tiered provider system" for the state-run programs MinnesotaCare and Minnesota Advantage that would make consumers pay more for clinics that are more costly and less efficient. The third part of the plan would require adults making at least 133 percent of the federal poverty level pay for some of the health care expenses under MinnesotaCare.
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He is by far the weakest link in the republican party. Does this guy really think he has what it takes to lead? Please.
God think T-Peeuw is using his position and the state of MN to further his idiotic political desires. Someone wipe this guys nose ...
This bridge collapser has been in over office over 7 years. it is just now he knew he needs to reform the health care system. Looser
too little, too late. Next time, try and get ahead of the train instead of standing in the tracks with your arm up to signal a lane change. Just another goof ball.
A tiered system sounds a lot like the rich get health care while the poor get the free clinic to me.
So THAT'S where he's been? Working on this???
T-Paw could not care less about us.
Again here we go with another idea to leave everyone to the mercy of the insurance companies. Please get off this crap about purchasing across state lines. If each state gets to choose how they regulate this you will have the same issue you have with credit cards. Do you know why nearly every credit card is issue from Delaware becasue they are the only state that have no limit on interest rates. So what happen when the federal gov't left it up ot the states the card companies ran to the state with no cap on interest rates. Wake up all you republican idiots the same thing will happen in this case.
Any plan would be better than the communistic mess the goofballs in congress are coming up with now. Just another welfare system in the making for the under achievers of the world. No public option.
Gee, think he is part of the Health Care Lobby push to try to shut down reform? If the Republicans had any real ideas, they would have flounted it before instead of being the party of NO.
another dumb white guy
But dear Tim, the market forces have utterly filed to be the fillip for the health sector during W's years. What makes you think it will work this time?
Market driven? That sounds scary. Personally, I think we should buck up and get universal health care rolling. At this point, I'm going to be glad if we can even get some kind of reform done. However, I personally think the business aspect of health care should be removed from health care. Our health is more important than the hospital's bottom line.
Republicans had 8 years in power. Why didnt they use that time and use that power to reform health care then? Wasn't it a problem then?
T-Paw is monday nite quaterbacking. This guy is a joke!
This is EXACTLY what should be happening in Washington right now. Instead, we have Democrats dreaming up brainless health PAYMENT reforms that simply dock physicians, hospitals and insurers to cover more Americans. That is NOT health care reform. How is everyone on this comment board so blinded from these socialist moves. America is the land of opportunity...everyone for themselves and success to the hardest working. You want good reform, listen to Republican ideas...make health care like every other industry: CAPITALISTIC.
There's only one problem with this proposal. Insurance Companies are NOT promoting cpmpetition. There is something called McCarron/Ferguson, not sure if it's a bill or a court case, that provides two entities be exempted from the rules on fair competition. Those two entities are Major League Baseball and the Insurance industry. Why hasn't this been brought to light? We have heard the insurance companies say that costs will go up about $4200. With the rules the Insurance Industry plays under, that's a true statement. That's why a public option is so vital to the end product. Can anyone tell me how much Pawlenty has received from the Insurance Company Lobbyists?
Are you kidding me? Most people get their insurance from their employer, not individual policies. It sounds more and more like my Governor is in the pockets of big insurance as UnitedHealth, my employer, is HQ'd here in Minnesota.
Gov. Pawlenty, Do your proposals REALLY help the 1.1 million Minnesotans who are uninsured? I wonder sometimes if you even care. Do you really think the insurance premiums will go down? That would be new since during my lifetime I don't think my health insurance premium has ever gone down ever. I want a gov't option because the insurance companies have shown their main interest is profits and not in helping all people get a minimum standard of health care. 55 yr old Minnesotan
I will not be moving to Minnesota if this guy gets his way. I find it hard to believe that a clinic visit cost more then a GP office visit or an ER visit.
I can only hope the great people of Minnesota kicks this guy out soon.