Issue

Should the state amend its Constitution to make affordable health care a right for all Minnesotans?

Policy

Although the Minnesota Chamber supports the goal of universal health care coverage, the Chamber opposes a constitutional amendment to make affordable health care a right for all Minnesotans. We do so for the following reasons:

• Amending the state’s Constitution will do nothing to address the underlying problems with our health care system. Real health care reform should control underlying cost-drivers in the health care system and improve quality of care.
• The proposed constitutional amendment is silent on how the state is going to make affordable health care available to everyone, what it will cost, and who is going to pay for it. It is also silent on the definition of affordable health care. Minnesotans should be given this information prior to any vote. For example, this could be a first step to a government-run health care system. Or it could be the first step to an employer mandate that would make Minnesota business uncompetitive and would threaten jobs and our economy.
• Minnesota statutes already acknowledge that “it is necessary to ensure basic and affordable health care to all Minnesotans” (62J.01).
• Minnesota should not become an island with unworkable laws that would be detrimental to the Minnesota economy.

Business Impact

Employers are still the major source of health care insurance for Minnesotans – nearly 63 percent of Minnesotans receive their health care coverage through a plan offered by their employer. Escalating health care costs are making it more and more difficult for employers to continue to offer this benefit. Health care isn’t immune from the laws of economics. Politicians can’t wave a wand and provide equal, affordable coverage for all merely by declaring medical care to be a “right.” Simply passing a constitutional amendment will not make health care more affordable for businesses or higher quality.

It instead could result in employer requirements to offer health insurance or to pay into a state fund (pay or play) or in a government-run, single-payer health care system.

Minnesota’s problem is that underlying health care costs are rising significantly higher than inflation. Giving individuals a right to health care does nothing to address those underlying cost-drivers.