This bill proposes the establishment of the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP), a publicly funded, single-payer health care system to cover all Minnesota residents. The plan aims to make health care accessible and affordable by eliminating copays, premiums based on income, and covering all necessary medical services, including mental health, dental, vision, and long-term care.

Key Provisions:

1. Coverage & Benefits:

   • Ensures all Minnesota residents are covered regardless of employment or immigration status.
   • Covers a wide range of medical services, including preventive care, emergency services, hospital stays, prescription drugs, long-term care, and alternative health treatments.

2. Eligibility & Enrollment:

   • All Minnesota residents are automatically eligible and required to pay income-based premiums.
   • Provides coverage for residents temporarily out of state and non-residents working in Minnesota.
   • Visitors will be billed for services unless covered by intergovernmental agreements.

3. Funding & Financing:

   • Establishes the Minnesota Health Fund, managed by a newly created Minnesota Health Board, which will collect premiums, federal and state funding, and other revenue sources.
   • Businesses will contribute through a Business Health Tax.
   • Existing government health care programs will be integrated into this new system.

4. Governance & Administration:

   • Minnesota Health Board oversees operations, finance, and policy implementation.
   • Office of Health Quality and Planning will ensure quality assurance and public health improvements.
   • Ombudsman for Patient Advocacy will assist patients and handle grievances.
   • Auditor General will monitor financial integrity and investigate claims.

5. Provider Payments & Cost Control:

   • Non-institutional providers (e.g., clinics, outpatient facilities) will be reimbursed through payments set by the board.
   • Institutional providers (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes) will receive funding from yearly budgets based on service levels.
   • Prohibits balance billing, meaning providers cannot charge patients beyond what MHP covers.
   • Establishes limits on pharmaceutical companies marketing directly to consumers.

6. Implementation & Transition:

   • Calls for a federal 1332 Affordable Care Act waiver to redirect existing federal health funding to MHP.
   • Insurance companies will be prohibited from offering private plans covering services already provided by the MHP.
   • Funding is allocated for displaced workers transitioning due to administrative cost reductions in the health sector.

7. Rulemaking & Reporting:

   • The board will establish necessary policies and procedures to implement the plan.
   • Mandates annual reporting on the financial health and operational effectiveness of the MHP.

Appropriation:

• An unspecified amount is allocated for the fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Health Fund to support the startup costs of implementing the new system.

This bill effectively seeks to replace the current multi-payer system with a government-managed universal health care system, aiming to reduce costs, eliminate administrative inefficiencies, and improve access to health care for all Minnesotans.