Health Reform: Preserving a Strong Role for the States

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Health Reform: Preserving a Strong Role for the States

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2012-02-16

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For generations, Minnesota has championed true public-private solutions to challenges that affect our state's health care system. This approach, praised nationally as the "Minnesota Model", merges private sector innovation and strong public policy in order to make health care as efficient and effective as possible for the greatest number of people. In the spirit of this strong tradition of collaboration, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Humphrey School's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota are convening a series of public forums on how best to implement health care reform at the state level. By fostering discussions among local policy makers, stakeholders, and citizens, these meetings will explore today's fiscal and demographic challenges and examine opportunities for ensuring Minnesota's legacy as a leader in individual and community health. The first forum in the series will be on Thursday, Feb. 16 and will feature former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Utah, Michael O. Leavitt. Secretary Leavitt's talk will focus on the importance of states moving forward with health reform, whether supportive of the law or not, in order to preserve the right to implement the law in a manner that reflects the state's values and marketplace. His talk will be followed by a panel discussion with state legislative leaders moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs and Dave Hage, health team leader at the Star Tribune. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, a non-profit health company, is dedicated to engaging people from all communities and sharing ideas about how to create a healthy future for all Minnesotans. The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance develops practical, independent, and non-partisan solutions to pressing political and policy challenges. CSPG brings together three critical components of public governance today: objective high quality analysis, publicly visible forums, and civic engagement. Michael Leavitt is the founder and Chairman of Leavitt Partners where he advises clients in the health care and food safety sectors. In previous roles, Leavitt served in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush (Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Health and Human Services) and as a three-time elected governor of Utah. Mike Leavitt grew up in Cedar City, Utah. He earned a bachelor's degree in business while working in the insurance industry. In 1984, he became chief executive of The Leavitt Group, a family business that is now the nation's second largest, privately-held insurance brokerage. In 1993, Leavitt was elected governor of Utah. He served three terms (1993-2003). In 2003, he joined the Cabinet of President George W. Bush, serving in two positions: first as leader of the Environmental Protection Agency (2003-2005) and then as secretary of Health and Human Services (2005-2009). At HHS, Leavitt administered a $750 billion budget – nearly 25 percent of the entire federal budget – and 67,000 employees. He led the implementation of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. The task required the design, systematization and implementation of a plan to provide 43 million seniors with a new prescription drug benefit. By the end of the first year, enrollments exceeded projections, prices were lower than projected and seniors expressed high levels of satisfaction. Leavitt is a seasoned diplomat, leading U.S. delegations to more than 50 countries. He has conducted negotiations on matters related to health, the environment and trade. At the conclusion of his service, the Chinese government awarded him the China Public Health Award — the first time this award has ever been given to a government official.

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Jacobs, Lawrence R.. (2012). Health Reform: Preserving a Strong Role for the States. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/218164.

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