Senator John Marty

And I didn't plan to be there that long, but I'm not willingly going to leave until we pass universal health care and have a logical health care system. That doesn't mean I'll make that, but I'm committed to doing everything in my power to try.

And I didn't plan to be there that long, but I'm not willingly going to leave until we pass universal health care and have a logical health care system. That doesn't mean I'll make that, but I'm committed to doing everything in my power to try.

But one of the problems I've seen has been throughout my career and started probably in the 70s is that policymakers say we've got several problems with our health care system. One, not everybody's covered. And two, it costs too much. So In the economic world, if something costs too much, you buy less of it. That's just supplying them. That's the way the market works. So we buy less of it.

But one of the problems I've seen has been throughout my career and started probably in the 70s is that policymakers say we've got several problems with our health care system. One, not everybody's covered. And two, it costs too much. So In the economic world, if something costs too much, you buy less of it. That's just supplying them. That's the way the market works. So we buy less of it.

And so healthcare professionals are saying, or the health policymakers have been saying, well, it's too expensive. And so let's make it harder for people to get so they don't use as much of it. Because obviously, if we're spending so much, it's because people are using too much healthcare. And you know, and I know that as new technologies and new things more expensive happen, but

And so healthcare professionals are saying, or the health policymakers have been saying, well, it's too expensive. And so let's make it harder for people to get so they don't use as much of it. Because obviously, if we're spending so much, it's because people are using too much healthcare. And you know, and I know that as new technologies and new things more expensive happen, but

The last 30 or 40 years, most of the health reforms, the reforms designed to make it more affordable and cover more people, Affordable Care Act was one of those. I would argue it did nothing to make it more affordable. It probably made it less affordable. But nevertheless, it cut the uninsurance rate. The people who have no coverage, it cut it by half. And that's a huge benefit to people.

The last 30 or 40 years, most of the health reforms, the reforms designed to make it more affordable and cover more people, Affordable Care Act was one of those. I would argue it did nothing to make it more affordable. It probably made it less affordable. But nevertheless, it cut the uninsurance rate. The people who have no coverage, it cut it by half. And that's a huge benefit to people.

So it's done a lot of those things. But all these reforms... making healthcare more difficult to get, probably contribute to health inequities, probably contribute to declining overall health. And they haven't worked to save much money.

So it's done a lot of those things. But all these reforms... making healthcare more difficult to get, probably contribute to health inequities, probably contribute to declining overall health. And they haven't worked to save much money.

Because now after those 30, 40, 50 years of these healthcare reforms designed to save money and cover people, we still have in Minnesota, it's only about three, four, 5% of the public that has no coverage.

Because now after those 30, 40, 50 years of these healthcare reforms designed to save money and cover people, we still have in Minnesota, it's only about three, four, 5% of the public that has no coverage.

but arguably about half the public doesn't have the coverage they need because they don't go to the dentist because they can't afford it or they can't afford the co-pays or deductibles, so they, whatever. But we haven't covered everybody, which is pretty essential for a good public health system. And the other thing is we haven't really done a very good job of saving money.

but arguably about half the public doesn't have the coverage they need because they don't go to the dentist because they can't afford it or they can't afford the co-pays or deductibles, so they, whatever. But we haven't covered everybody, which is pretty essential for a good public health system. And the other thing is we haven't really done a very good job of saving money.

Matter of fact, we spend literally two times what anybody else in the world spends per person on healthcare with about 10 or 12 exceptions. Other countries, All but 10 or 12 spend half per person or less than we do. And many of those have better outcomes and so on. So our healthcare reforms have been going the wrong direction. Real quickly, what the summary of what I'd like to have

Matter of fact, we spend literally two times what anybody else in the world spends per person on healthcare with about 10 or 12 exceptions. Other countries, All but 10 or 12 spend half per person or less than we do. And many of those have better outcomes and so on. So our healthcare reforms have been going the wrong direction. Real quickly, what the summary of what I'd like to have

I'd like to have a logical healthcare system. I don't care what I was telling people. I got a system. I proposed one 12, 15 years ago that I think makes good sense. I think it would be the best healthcare system in the world, frankly. It's not very modest, but I really think that's not a very high mark to meet because, frankly, nobody's doing a wonderful job of it.

I'd like to have a logical healthcare system. I don't care what I was telling people. I got a system. I proposed one 12, 15 years ago that I think makes good sense. I think it would be the best healthcare system in the world, frankly. It's not very modest, but I really think that's not a very high mark to meet because, frankly, nobody's doing a wonderful job of it.

But have a healthcare system that covers everybody for all their medical needs and doesn't put barriers in their way. And so the analogy of what I'd like to see is with education. In Minnesota, our constitution says we are supposed to provide a quality education system for all kids. So how do we do it?

But have a healthcare system that covers everybody for all their medical needs and doesn't put barriers in their way. And so the analogy of what I'd like to see is with education. In Minnesota, our constitution says we are supposed to provide a quality education system for all kids. So how do we do it?