Few issues have a bigger impact on Minnesotans or are more personal to Minnesotans than health and our health-care system. Yet, too often, policy discussions about health are wrapped in partisan debates that leave citizens left on the sidelines.
This spring, we at the Bush Foundation were proud to work with a coalition of Minnesota organizations to engage Minnesotans -- and the citizens of Duluth -- in a different conversation about health care.
In a public meeting on May 15, Duluth residents shared sentiments similar to those heard across the state. They said people want to be empowered to be co-creators and co-managers of their health, understanding that this means managing both rights and responsibilities for health. They said people want to be equipped to make healthy choices, especially within the health care system. And they want to be encouraged to live healthier lives through environments and systems that support healthy choices every day.
These were important insights that we were proud to share with the bipartisan Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force. The task force will make health-care policy recommendations to the governor and Legislature later this year.
We hope this report provides another step in the continued conversation with Duluth residents and people from across Minnesota of all ages, from northeast to southwest and all points in between. We'd encourage citizens of Duluth and the surrounding areas to read the full report at citizenolve.org to learn more and to keep the conversation going. It's your health and health-care system.
ADVERTISEMENT
C. Scott Cooper
St. Paul
