Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition: Campaign for the Minnesota Health Plan

Abstract

Enacting universal health coverage in Minnesota means building support both in the public and the legislative arenas. This report examines Minnesota’s current political willingness for single-payer health care, existing stakeholder and constituent commitment, best practices of successful policy-based campaigns, and how this knowledge translates into essential strategies for a winning issue advocacy campaign for single-payer health care in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition’s web site defines single-payer health care simply as “ ‘universal’ means everyone. The Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) is the only proposal under consideration in Minnesota that covers everyone” (FAQ about single-payer and universal health care, 2010). The page further defines MHP as a “universal single-payer, single-plan system that covers 100 percent of Minnesota residents for all their medical needs.” Getting this legislation passed is the driving purpose behind MUHCC. The question remains of how the organization will accomplish this goal. Through stakeholder interviews, constituent surveys, case studies and literature reviews of campaign strategies, the research reveals common themes for a successful campaign, as well as assesses the organizational capacity for mobilizing the base. It is also important, as MUHCC looks to the future, to continue to learn from the past.