Nancy Feldman, past president of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, is best known as the long-time CEO of UCare. After she retired in 2014, Nancy established a fund to help victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, and collaborates with the Center for Victims of Torture and other charitable organizations. “If I could do one thing immediately to improve health care in Minnesota,” Nancy says, “it would be to make everybody eligible for health care. I’d do away with all the complete waste that’s responsible for determining who’s eligible for what.” She looks to the German health system for inspiration: “In Germany, you’re born, you’re eligible.”
More News Releases
2019
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Council releases 2018 industry financial results
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today its member companies paid $27.7 billion in medical bills for more than 5.5 million people in 2018. Council member insurers help Minnesotans in every county across the state pay for the care they need, no matter how they get their insurance. In aggregate across all ways people […]
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It’s not often there is good news about the expense of medical care and health insurance premiums. But the Minnesota Council of Health Plans recently received good news. Expenses for the state’s reinsurance program that helps pay high medical bills for people who buy their own insurance are about half the amount expected. That means […]
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Minnesota Council of Health Plans names industry veteran Patsy Riley as interim leader
Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today that Patsy Riley will serve as the organization’s interim president and chief executive officer. Riley steps in for Jim Schowalter, who is leaving the Council at the end of the month after four years as its leader. “We’re excited to bring on board a respected industry leader to […]
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Statement on budget proposal by Gov. Walz
Significant health insurance proposals by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recognize the fact that there is a lot of work to do to help make sure Minnesotans get the care they need now and in the future.
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Premium Security Program (reinsurance) cost is 50 percent less than expected
St. Paul, Minn.—It’s not often there is good news about the expense of medical care and health insurance premiums. But today the Minnesota Council of Health Plans has good news. Expenses in the state program that helps pay high medical bills for people who buy their own insurance are about half the amount expected. That […]
More News Coverage
2019
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Star Tribune
Flight from health insurance market in Minnesota slows
The state’s individual health insurance market got even smaller last year, according to a new state report, but the annual rate of decline slowed significantly.
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Star Tribune Commentary
Minnesota’s reinsurance program should be renewed
It lowers premiums for people who buy their own insurance and requires no new money.
2018
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Star Tribune
Clinics report sharp slowdown in medical spending growth
Find out how expensive care is at your clinic compared to other clinics nearby. The Star Tribune article has a summary, and you can find the original details by clicking here.
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Star Tribune
The problem today isn’t getting health care; it’s paying for it
We sorely need policy discussions that lead to practical actions, with clear-eyed recognition of the trade offs.
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National Public Radio
Investigation: Patients’ Drug Options Under Medicaid Heavily Influenced By Drugmakers
A Center for Public Integrity and NPR investigation found drug companies have infiltrated nearly every part of the process that determines how their drugs will be covered by taxpayers: giving free dinners and consulting gigs to many doctors on the obscure committees advising state Medicaid programs; asking speakers who don’t disclose their financial ties with drug companies to testify about their drugs; and paying for state Medicaid officials to attend all-inclusive conferences where they can mingle with drug representatives.