We Have To Think Twice

We are so fortunate to have world-class medical facilities and professionals in Minnesota, something I have experienced first-hand since suffering a knee injury in high school. But legislation currently under consideration at the State Capitol that would create a new state government-controlled health insurance system could put access to affordable, high-quality health care at risk for Minnesotans.

This is obviously a topic that impacts virtually everyone in our state. Whether you are a young person who does not need to see a doctor often or a senior citizen who requires frequent visits, there are few things that are more important than reliable access to healthcare when needed. That is why it worries me that this legislation has flown under the radar and not received the attention it needs. At the very least, it should be carefully studied and everyone made aware that it is happening.

My own experience is a great illustration of how lucky we are to have access to high-quality healthcare, and why we should be wary of proposals that could limit our access to care.

I tore my ACL playing high school soccer when I was 15 years old. I had reconstructive surgery, which included a cadaver ACL graft and meniscus trimming. After four months of physical therapy, I was back on the soccer field.

Sadly, that was only the beginning of my journey. Swelling, pain, and immune system challenges started about six months after surgery. Within 18 months, I had to give up the sport I loved and planned to play in college. Additional surgery followed, with no improvement. The active lifestyle that I treasured only brought more pain, swelling, and arthritis. Pursuing college was in part delayed due to the increased knee pain and overall decline in my health.

Luckily, I was referred to Dr. Robert LaPrade, who is one of the top knee surgeons in the world and has operated on professional athletes such as Lindsay Vonn. Dr. LaPrade quickly ascertained that my ACL had failed and the locations of ACL attachment were deteriorating. After my first of two required operations, my knee feels better than it has in years. My journey isn’t over, with more surgery scheduled for the fall and a year of physical therapy are ahead, but it is vastly improved thanks to Dr. LaPrade.

Proposals by Minnesota politicians could put all this at risk. Both the Minnesota Senate and House have passed bills (S.F. 2995/H.F. 2930) that would do just that by creating a so-called state public option through MinnesotaCare. This could undermine existing healthcare coverage and care options for all Minnesotans and even drive doctors like Dr. LaPrade out of the state because the reimburse rate for MinnesotaCare to providers is below the cost of care.

The fact is that if Minnesotans currently on private insurance move into this new state government-controlled health insurance system, doctors and hospitals will be reimbursed less for the services they provide to MinnesotaCare patients. With less revenue to cover costs, the best doctors may eventually leave our state. Patients might not be able to access the doctors they need to restore health, and healthcare providers might not be able to offer the same level of care or attract top-notch doctors to our state. This isn't theory. It's been proven in other states that have increased government control of healthcare such as Washington. There is no example of a state government-controlled health insurance system working anywhere it's been tried.

The risk is all the more unwise when one considers that Minnesota already has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the entire country, with fewer than five percent of residents lacking coverage. This is a big gamble to make when so few stand to potentially benefit.

But there have to be ways to expand coverage to the five percent of people who currently lack it without potentially affecting the care of the vast majority of people and without driving the very best surgeons, doctors, and researchers out of Minnesota. Lawmakers should slow down and carefully study options that accomplish this goal and not rush through a half-baked idea in the closing days of a chaotic legislative session. This proposal is currently in conference committee and will go back to both chambers for a final vote. With this year’s session ending next week, I hope lawmakers will take the time needed to study potential impacts to all Minnesotans before implementing any sweeping overhauls of our healthcare system.

Elise Hendrickson is a resident of Stillwater