Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty Discusses Plan To Improve Consumers’ Access To Health Information
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Tuesday unveiled a plan to allow all Minnesotans to access their personal health records and compare prescription and procedure costs online, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports (Lopez, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/29). Pawlenty said that private health insurers have agreed to create a shared Web site that would report prices for the most common health procedures and quality data from providers. The Web site is expected to be fully operational by January 2009.
In addition, Pawlenty said that by next year, all state employees will have access to Microsoft's HealthVault, which allows people to store their health information online. Pawlenty said he wants all state residents to be able to access the system by 2011. In addition, Pawlenty said state employees will be able to access their flexible health spending accounts using a debit card. Other health care initiatives being considered in the state include the creation of a uniform billing system that all health insurers must use, investing in electronic health records for clinics and developing other policies to improve efficiency and lower costs (Stassen-Berger, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30).
Pawlenty said, "We need to put consumers in charge. We need to give them the tools so they can make good decisions. ... This would be a significant breakthrough in the way we maintain information in this state," and could lower costs, ease paperwork and give consumers greater control over their medical records. Pawlenty added that the current system cannot be sustained, no matter how much money is invested into it (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/29).
Minnesota's House Health and Human Services Chair Paul Thissen (D) said, "I think the governor's ideas, as far as they go, are moving in the right direction, but I don't know that that's going to solve the problem that is affecting people in their real lives" (St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/30). He added, "We will work with the governor on pilot programs, but we also encourage him to focus on the everyday problems facing Minnesota in the area of health care and join us in pursuing the fundamental innovations we need" (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/29).
