Letters to the Editor

An article published in the Jan. 19 issue of Southside Pride, “The movement for universal health insurance splits,” claims that the universal health care movement in Minnesota has split into two camps: “multiple-payer advocates” and “single-payer advocates.”  The “multipl-payer advocates” support the Minnesota Health Security Act (SF9/HF174) and the “single-payer advocates” support the Minnesota Health Act (SF118/HF135). Whereas both bills aim for universal health coverage for all Minnesotans, only the Minnesota Health Act proposes single-payer financing to accomplish this goal.  The Board of the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition (MUHCC), the largest coalition of single-payer advocates in the state, agrees with this description.
However, we do not agree with the characterization of a stark split in the universal health care movement, with two sides now at complete odds, unwilling to work together.  There is, in fact, much crossover, collaboration and common ground between MUHCC and the majority of organizations characterized as “multiple-payer advocates” (also known as the Campaign for Affordable Health Care Coalition).  We have met regularly with several members to share ideas and hone policy issues.  And, Take Action and the Minnesota Nurses Association, members of the “multiple-payer advocates,” have endorsed the single-payer Minnesota Health Act.
The shifting economic situation and political winds make the legislative landscape hard to predict. We are all working to educate the public and build a strong grassroots base in the call for universal health care in Minnesota.

Lisa Nilles, M.D.,  Board Member, MUHCC
Amy Lange, R.N., M.S., MUHCC Administration, Out-reach, and Development
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The Greater Minnesota Health Care Coalition (GMHCC) wishes to publicly thank both Senator Linda Berglin and the TakeAction Minnesota organization for their support of the Minnesota Health Plan (SF 118 - HF 135).   This bill, whose chief authors are Sen. John Marty and Rep. David Bly, would create a universal health care system in Minnesota that would reduce and hold down costs and be affordable according to household income.  It has already been approved by two State Senate committees this session, and it has 64 co-sponsors—over a third of the entire legislature.  Its momentum is growing.

Take Action Minnesota (TAMN), of which GMHCC is a member organization, publicly endorses this bill and is working for its passage. TAMN’s executive director, Dan McGrath, spoke in favor of it at a Jan. 5 rally at the State Capitol that GMHCC and others organized. TAMN organized attendance for the committee hearings and supplied a personal testifier for the Feb. 10 Commerce Committee hearing.  The organization has several references to the bill and these events on its website.  We’re very glad for their efforts.

Senator Linda Berglin, a top leader in the Legislature on health care issues, signed on as a co-sponsor for the bill, and voted in favor of it at the Jan. 26 Senate Health, Housing & Family Security Committee.   We applaud and appreciate her support and hope that many other senators and representatives follow her example.

We also want to remark that although progressive groups in Minnesota don’t fully agree on everything regarding health care reform policy and strategy, we are committed to working together.  These kinds of differences are not unique to Minnesota, since there is a 15-year pent-up demand around the nation for debate and action on health care, which has now quickly shifted to the front burner.   We believe that we can grow in consensus and solidarity, and the way to do that is with face-to-face dialogue and building stronger relationships.

Charlotte Fisher, R.N., President, Greater Minnesota Health Care Coalition