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Minnesota has traditionally prided itself on being the healthiest state with the fewest uninsured—but where are we headed?
 
According to a new AARP survey of Minnesotans age 50-64, there is low public confidence that health care will be available and affordable in the future. About one in nine residents are currently uninsured, and many more are “underinsured”—meaning they have insurance but can’t afford the high deductibles or procedures or drugs not covered under their plans.

Over 75 percent of Minnesotans surveyed said that health care reform efforts should be a high priority for state policy makers. That’s why AARP is making health care reform its top priority at the State Capitol this year.

“As a state, we can and must regain our prominence as a health care leader,” said AARP State President Skip Humphrey. “It’s time for lawmakers to take bold steps to reduce costs, improve quality, and give consumers a voice in the health care system.”

This session, AARP will be advocating for bipartisan proposals that include paying doctors based on quality, not quantity of care given. AARP argues that providers should be paid to prevent illness, rather than for each office visit, test or procedure. AARP will also advocate for clear information for consumers that helps people understand and compare the quality and costs of care provided by doctors, clinics and hospitals.

“When it comes to quality, we are not getting what we’re paying for with today’s system,” said Humphrey. “We need to reward doctors for keeping patients healthy and find a way to inform consumers about their health care choices.”
 
Contact your state legislators to urge them to make health care reform a priority. Email aarpmn@aarp.org for more information about becoming an AARP health care advocate at the State Capitol.

Other Findings from AARP’s Statewide Survey of Minnesotans Age 50-64

• Seven in ten members say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported affordable coverage for all.

• Nearly eight in ten Minnesota members agree that all residents should have access to quality, affordable, and adequate health care coverage.  A quarter of members say they are not confident that they will be able to maintain affordable health care coverage.

• One in seven AARP members in Minnesota say it is difficult to pay their out-of-pocket monthly medical expenses.

For a copy of the complete report, go to www.aarp.org/research.
 
Did you know?
Minnesota's health care cost $29.4 billion in 2005 and is projected to rise 40 percent to $41 billion by 2011.  Source: Star Tribune

By 2030, the number of Minnesotans over age 65 will double, rising to 1.3 million and older people will represent over 20 percent of the state’s population. Between 2005 and 2050, the number of persons 85+ will more than triple, rising from 95,000 to 324,000.*

In the next 50 years most of the growth in Minnesota’s population will occur in persons over 50.  By 2020, Minnesota will have more retirees than school age children.*

Up to 29 percent of Minnesotans born between 1936 and 1964 are at a very high risk of having inadequate retirement income and will be unable to afford health and long-term care.*

*Minnesota Department of Human Services: Transform 2010 Report