Senator John Marty

kick out the private insurance companies from the public programs, because then we could start fixing some of the things like the disparities where mental health is paid less. We could make sure patients aren't being denied care because they're not in the right health plan. These are public programs. Public is spending literally billions, billions and billions of dollars a year on

kick out the private insurance companies from the public programs, because then we could start fixing some of the things like the disparities where mental health is paid less. We could make sure patients aren't being denied care because they're not in the right health plan. These are public programs. Public is spending literally billions, billions and billions of dollars a year on

And why are we turning that over to private plans to do nothing more than administer and allegedly save money? But basically, they save money by denying care. Right.

And why are we turning that over to private plans to do nothing more than administer and allegedly save money? But basically, they save money by denying care. Right.

Yes. And politics affects how we govern ourselves as a people, how we relate to each other as a society. And because some people can make more money doing certain things their way, they may not be bad people. I don't think they are. I talked to a woman who worked for one of the large companies. HMO plans in the state. And she said, John, what do you think? Why?

Yes. And politics affects how we govern ourselves as a people, how we relate to each other as a society. And because some people can make more money doing certain things their way, they may not be bad people. I don't think they are. I talked to a woman who worked for one of the large companies. HMO plans in the state. And she said, John, what do you think? Why?

I've been spending my whole career trying to make sure more kids get Medicaid, medical assistance, so they get care. What's wrong with that? I said, nothing's wrong with that. But why do we have to have some insurance plan trying to help people get coverage? Why don't we just say you're all covered, period?

I've been spending my whole career trying to make sure more kids get Medicaid, medical assistance, so they get care. What's wrong with that? I said, nothing's wrong with that. But why do we have to have some insurance plan trying to help people get coverage? Why don't we just say you're all covered, period?

And so it's not bad people, but their jobs depend on it. And to me, making that change, we want to treat them fairly. I want to make sure if we're replacing, if we're displacing people in insurance and billing and collections and those jobs, if we're going to displace people, we want to make sure they get good jobs elsewhere because we got to be concerned about them.

And so it's not bad people, but their jobs depend on it. And to me, making that change, we want to treat them fairly. I want to make sure if we're replacing, if we're displacing people in insurance and billing and collections and those jobs, if we're going to displace people, we want to make sure they get good jobs elsewhere because we got to be concerned about them.

They're our fellow human beings. But we also don't want to have, we'd be better off, I think we'd actually save money We took everybody working in health insurance in Minnesota and had them sit at their desks and do nothing. And then just provide health care in a logical, cheaper way. It would be cheaper in my mind. But that's the trouble.

They're our fellow human beings. But we also don't want to have, we'd be better off, I think we'd actually save money We took everybody working in health insurance in Minnesota and had them sit at their desks and do nothing. And then just provide health care in a logical, cheaper way. It would be cheaper in my mind. But that's the trouble.

The reason it's so slow to change is people all have their vested interest in it. And we never take a look. That's why I'm saying we work it. Tinkering on each of these is important. Tinkering is important. sounds tiny, but big tinkering things that are good things to do. We've got to keep working on that. But at the same time, let's look at the big picture. Why do we do it this way?

The reason it's so slow to change is people all have their vested interest in it. And we never take a look. That's why I'm saying we work it. Tinkering on each of these is important. Tinkering is important. sounds tiny, but big tinkering things that are good things to do. We've got to keep working on that. But at the same time, let's look at the big picture. Why do we do it this way?

And how would we do it if we wanted to have a logical system that addresses healthcare disparities, that addresses the lack of access to care, that addresses the high costs of care, and has people focus on how we keep people healthy and make sure they get the care they need? To me, that's a simple question, but it's a big question and it's a huge challenge, which is why

And how would we do it if we wanted to have a logical system that addresses healthcare disparities, that addresses the lack of access to care, that addresses the high costs of care, and has people focus on how we keep people healthy and make sure they get the care they need? To me, that's a simple question, but it's a big question and it's a huge challenge, which is why

medical providers have got to be involved. And I'm thrilled that med students at the U of M are more engaged in health policy than I think med students were 20, 30 years ago. Because they see it's going to affect their practice.

medical providers have got to be involved. And I'm thrilled that med students at the U of M are more engaged in health policy than I think med students were 20, 30 years ago. Because they see it's going to affect their practice.