STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES POLICY AND OVERSIGHT
Chair, Representative Paul Thissen
MINUTES
Representative Paul Thissen, Chair of the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:50 P.M. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
THISSEN, Paul (Chair)
LIEBLING, Tina (Vice-Chair)
ABELER, Jim
BROD, Laura
BUNN, Julie
EMMER, Tom
FRITZ, Patti
GARDNER, Paul
GOTTWALT, Steve
HAYDEN, Jeff
KELLY, Tim
LAINE, Carolyn
LOEFFLER, Diane
MACK, Tara
MURPHY, Erin
NORTON, Kim
RUUD, Maria
THAO, Cy
TORKELSON, Paul
Members excused:
HUNTLEY, Tom
A quorum was present.
Representative Murphy moved that the minutes of February 18, 2009 and February 24, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF135 (Bly) Health care availability and affordability for every Minnesotan guaranteed, Minnesota Health Plan, Minnesota Health Board, Minnesota Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, Patient advocacy ombudsman, and inspector general for the Minnesota Health Plan established and money appropriated.
Representative Laine moved that HF135 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Representative Bly presented the bill.
Providing testimony in support of the bill:
Edward Ehlinger, M.D., Boyton Health Clinic, University of Minnesota
Mike Thorsteinson, constituent
Bob Ciernia, Small Business Owner, Life Skills Education, Northfield
Elaine Torpet, constituent
Providing testimony in opposition of the bill:
Kathryn Kmit, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Beth McMullen, Health Policy Director, Minnesota Business Partnership
Stacia Smith, Director of Workforce and Health Policy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
John Schwartz, Director, United Health System
Twila Brase, President, Citizens’ Council on Health Care
Health Care and Human Services
Policy and Oversight Committee
February 25, 2009
Page 2
Rep. Laine moved that HF135 be laid on the table. MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 P.M.
Rep. Paul Thissen, CHAIR
Urszula Gryska
Committee Legislative Assistant