STATE OF MINNESOTA

Office of Governor Mark Dayton

116 Veterans Service Building 20 West 12th Street Saint Paul, MN 55155

March 16, 2015

The Honorable Thomas M. Bakk

Senate Majority Leader
Room 232, State Capitol Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

The Honorable Kurt Daudt

Speaker of the House
Room 463, State Office Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

The Honorable David Hann

Senate Minority Leader
Room 147, State Office Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

The Honorable Paul Thissen

House Minority Leader
Room 267, State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Legislative Leaders:

In recent years, state and national health care policies and programs have
undergone historic changes. In Minnesota, we have had both positive and negative
experiences with those changes. Today, more Minnesotans have health insurance than
ever before, preventive services are available at no cost to insured patients, and sick
people can no longer be charged more for their coverage.
However, the launch of MNsure created serious problems for many consumers.
Although we have seen significant improvements, there are still important unresolved
issues. I support the Legislative Auditor's recommendations to make MNsure directly
accountable to the Governor and to subject it to the same legislative oversight as other
state agencies.
Looking ahead, we must make some major policy and programmatic decisions that
will strengthen Minnesota's position as the nation's health care leader, while making the
best use of our state's financial resources. We need to undertake a comprehensive review
of our future options to provide high-quality, affordable health coverage for all
Minnesotans.
Thus, in my Supplemental Budget, I will propose the creation of a Task Force on
Health Care Financing to evaluate those future options. My proposal parallels bills
regarding health care innovation that are now under consideration by the Legislature. The
Task Force would include legislators, other public officials, health care leaders, providers,
recipients, and other stakeholders, who would provide their analyses and
recommendations to us by January 1, 2016.

Voice: (651) 201-3400 or (800) 657-3717

Website: http://nm.govigoyernor/

Fax: (651) 797-1850

MN Relay (800) 627-3529

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Printed on recycled paper containing 15% post consumer material and state government printed

Legislative Leaders
March 16, 2015
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The Task Force would consider all conceivable options, including MNsure's longterm viability, reverting to the Federal Exchange, post-ACA options, revisions to public
health care programs, opportunities for federal waivers, and further reforms to the state's
purchasing practices. My Supplemental Budget proposes $500,000 to support policy,
financial and actuarial analyses at the direction of the Task Force.
I appreciate your consideration of my proposal and look forward to working with
you, as we plan for the future of health care in our state.
Sincerely,

Mark Dayton
Governor