Erik Paulsen has failed us in healthcare cost containment.
In his position on the Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, he has been presented with numerous ideas to contain costs. He has chosen instead to promote Health Savings Accounts.
Since we have no choice but to pay whatever bill shows up, having an HSA does nothing to check rising healthcare costs. Minnesota did pass a law this year that will require primary care physicians to post the prices of their 25 most common procedures, so next year we will be able to compare the cost of wart removal and a sore throat exam. Where we need the cost comparisons is for a hip replacement, cancer treatment, and heart valve replacement surgery.
I checked and found that other states already require different levels of transparency. Even my home state of Nebraska has had hospitals posting their fees for years now. Minnesota is behind in this commonsense, competitive way to lower the costs of healthcare.
We are the home of big healthcare insurance companies, who have given politicians lots of money to promote ideas that don’t contain costs.
Dean Phillips has pledged not to take this kind of money. I am ready to give him the chance to go to Washington and change Congress, to be responsive to people again.
Working people run this economy. It is time we recognize our value and vote to take care of ourselves and our families.
Sally Johnson, Chanhassen
Chanhassen Villager, October 20, 2018