MN GOP's Health Care Reform Proposal is the Right Message for Patients and Privacy

Minneapolis/Saint Paul - In response to the Minnesota House Republican's health care reform initiatives announced this morning, the following statement was made by Twila Brase, president of the Citizens' Council on Health Care, who attended the Republican's press conference:

"We are pleased to see the Republican's sweeping support for values that are pro-patient and pro-privacy. When it comes to medical care, all patients of every color and political stripe value freedom of choice, privacy and security.

"CCHC is also pleased to see the Republican House take a clear stand against 'government take over of health care.' Opposing government-run health care is key to preserving freedom, choice, privacy and security. It is also key to preserving access to medical treatment. Just ask any Canadian waiting in line for surgery.

"We were especially delighted to find in the Republican proposal many ideas CCHC has long supported, including patient consent for sharing medical records, allowing patients to carry their medical records on flash drives, individually-owned health insurance policies, and no mandate for the individual purchase of health insurance.

"However, we have a few questions. Cannot the proposed 'voluntary' insurance exchange easily become a compulsory system as was attempted during the 2007 session? Are privacy and control truly being protected if outsiders are accessing medical records to measure "quality" and determine "value"?

"The House Republicans have taken a very public stand in strong support of patient choice, patient control, and patient privacy. We look forward to seeing these reform ideas in legislative print as the 2008 session approaches."