Dee Schutte, executive director of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, visits with House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers at the Session Priorities event. Governor Tim Pawlenty congratulates John M. Rivisto, president and CEO of Wells Concrete Company, on its new facility in Sartell. The plant has created 50 jobs in central Minnesota and will add another 100 jobs over the next five years. Minnesota legislative leaders share their priorities at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event: (from left) House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, moderator Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV Eyewitness News; Senate Minority Leader David Senjem; Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses nearly 1,600 business leaders and policy-makers at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event, the largest legislative gathering of its kind. Michele Engdahl with Thomson Reuters, Eagan, receives an up-close look at a hog-producing facility – Baarsch Farms-Next Generation Pork, Inc. near Austin – as part of Leadership Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber program is an exclusive look at the state’s changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. Grow Minnesota! events help businesses prepare for the economic recovery. Sharing their perspectives on how the recession has changed the job market were (from left) Simon Foster of SpencerStuart, Minneapolis; Sue Metcalf of Ecolab, St. Paul; and Jan Erickson of Medtronic, Inc., Fridley.

Minnesotans deserve quality health care at an affordable price. More than 60 percent of Minnesota businesses – and almost 90 percent of Minnesota Chamber members – provide some kind of health insurance for their employees. That is one of the reasons why Minnesota has the lowest rate of uninsured people in the country.

Bur rising costs are making the current system unsustainable. Significant progress was made during the 2008 Legislature toward accomplishing the goals advanced by the Minnesota Chamber. We must ensure that these changes are implemented.

2010 Legislative Priorities

We will ensure that the 2008 state health care reforms are implemented.

We will advance a policy for long-term health care.

We will monitor and weigh in on the federal debate over health care reform as we gauge its impact on Minnesota businesses.

2009 Legislative Accomplishments

We defeated the Minnesota Health Act, which would establish a government-run, single-payer approach to financing health care for Minnesotans.

We defeated a measure that would have required Health Savings Accounts to cover preventative care at no cost.

We defeated a proposal to provide health insurance for all children, a worthy goal but it could lead some employers to discontinue offering benefits for family members.

We defeated additional health insurance coverage mandates that fall on the fully insured market, primarily small and midsized employers.

Chair: Mike Bromelkamp, Olsen Thielen & Co., Ltd.
Staff: Cecilia Retelle, (651) 292-4681, cretelle@mnchamber.com

LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions you want answers for.

LINKS
» Business Plan for Health Care Reform
» Constitutional Amendment: Making Health Care A Right
» Health Care Mandates, Taxes and Regulations
» Health Care Privacy
» Long-Term Care
 Background

 
 
 

Several Web sites offer useful and easy-to-understand information to help employers and employees make smarter decisions when purchasing health care.

» MN Community Measurement
» Minnesota Health Information
» Minnesota's Smart Buy Alliance

» State Agencies
» State Legislature

Prosperity Project

Privacy & Security|Contact Us|Send Feedback
© Copyright 2009 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

This web site is developed and owned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Any use or reprinting is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.