The proposed bill establishes the Minnesota Health Plan, designed to ensure that all residents of Minnesota have access to affordable health care. It creates the Minnesota Health Board, the Minnesota Health Fund, and the Office of Health Quality and Planning, which will oversee the administration and financial management of the plan. Key features include comprehensive coverage for necessary medical services, patient choice of providers, and a focus on preventive care. The plan will be funded through premiums based on residents' ability to pay, eliminating co-pays, and negotiating fair prices to reduce overall costs. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria, enrollment procedures, and the establishment of a centralized system for processing health care claims.

Additionally, the bill introduces measures for financial accountability, including the collection of health care costs from collateral sources and a prohibition on billing patients for covered services. It mandates the creation of regional health planning boards to address local health needs and emphasizes the importance of public health services. The legislation also establishes a conflict of interest committee and an Ombudsman Office for Patient Advocacy to ensure transparency and consumer protection. An auditor general for health care fraud will investigate misconduct related to the plan, and the bill exempts certain policies from rulemaking requirements to streamline governance. Overall, the legislation aims to create a comprehensive, equitable, and accessible health care system for all Minnesota residents.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.3806, 14.03, 15A.0815