Here are ten principles that any good healthcare system must abide by. To keep Minnesotans healthy and provide the highest quality healthcare, the Minnesota Health Plan ( Senate File 2740/House File 2798.) is based on, and would be governed by, these fundamental principles:
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ensure all Minnesota residents are covered;
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cover all necessary care, including dental, vision and hearing, mental health, chemical dependency treatment, prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, long-term care, and home care;
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allow patients to choose their doctors;
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reduce costs by negotiating fair prices and by cutting administrative bureaucracy, not by restricting or denying care;
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affordable to all through premiums based on ability to pay & elimination of co-pays;
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focus on preventive care and early intervention to improve health;
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ensure that there are enough health care providers to guarantee timely access to care;
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continue Minnesota’s leadership in medical education, research, and technology;
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provide adequate and timely payments to providers; and
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use a simple funding and payment system.