Minnesota Task Forces on Lowering Healthcare Costs Take Flight

(Adobe Stock via the Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – Amid concerning numbers for Minnesota’s uninsured rate, a new statewide research project created by the Legislature is connecting the dots in trying to make health care affordable for everyone.

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health said the state’s uninsured rate increased from a historic low of 3.8% in 2023 to 5.8% last year.

Alex Caldwell, director of the department’s Center for Health Care Affordability, said it’s one of the many reasons the state has to dig deeper in finding meaningful answers that get to the bottom of cost barriers. Since its launch, Caldwell said, the Center has created a pair of task forces. One is comprised of patients, consumers and others who want to illustrate and get a better understanding of why people are reluctant to seek out important care.

“You know, ‘I needed to get a surgery,’ or ‘I was in pain.’ They’re increasingly reporting, year-over-year, that they’re forgoing that care,” she said.