Pawlenty offers proposals for health care reform

October 13, 4:13 PMKansas City Political Buzz ExaminerMark Kern

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced several proposals that he will try to push through the Minnesota Legislature next year. Pawlenty said the changes were aimed at both making health care more affordable for Minnesotans and controlling the state’s costs for MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance.

Some of the changes are unique. One of the changes will allow Minnesotans to purchase health insurance in other states. This proposal should open up the market to more competition and to challenge health care organizations to offer a better service and to provide more cost savings. Participants in some public health care programs would be required to pay co-pays and deductibles.

Gov. Pawlenty says the timing of his announcement on the day that the Senate Finance committee votes on health care legislation is merely coincidental. Regardless, it is a very bold and potentially risky move for the potential 2012 presidential candidate. By laying out such a far reaching proposal this early in the campaign cycle, he opens himself up to increased scrutiny by the press and potential competitors on both sides of the aisle. Time will tell if it pays off for him.