Senator Marty is author of the proposed Minnesota Health Plan.   

Sen. John Marty is author of the proposed Minnesota Health Plan, a single, statewide plan that would cover all Minnesotans for all their medical needs. Equally important, it would reduce the need for costly medical care through public health, education, prevention and early intervention.

Under the plan, patients would be able to see the medical providers of their choice when they need care, and their coverage would not end when they lose their job or switch to a new employer. Consumers would use the same doctors and medical professionals, the same hospitals and clinics, but all the payments, covering all of the costs, would be made by the plan, and everyone would be covered.This would be a doctor and patient-centered system, where medical decisions are made by patients and their medical providers, not insurance companies who put their financial profits ahead of care. Not only would this plan keep people healthier, but it would save money for both families and businesses.

Learn more about the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP):

• Text of the MHP bill, SF 219
• One page summary of the Minnesota Health Plan
• Principles of health care reform
• Minnesota: Growth & Justice report - big savings, other benefits of single-payer
• Analysis of single payer savings in Colorado
• FAQ on the Minnesota Health Plan
• Comparison of Health Systems: US vs other countries

Moving Minnesota out of Poverty

Since the Legislative Poverty Commission issued its final report in 2009, Minnesota has moved further from the goal of ending poverty.  More than one in ten Minnesotans lives in poverty, and three in ten are struggling to meet basic needs. Some workers cannot afford housing and go from their jobs to a homeless shelter at night. It is time for a bold approach.

Sen. Marty has called for the state to adopt policies to move all Minnesotans out of poverty and recently introduced the Moving Out of Poverty bill, SF 1318 which might be the single biggest step towards ending poverty that Minnesota has ever taken.

This legislation would:

• Establish a $15/hour minimum wage through a gradual five-year phase-in ($13/hour for small businesses) - The $15/hour wage, with this gradual phase-in, would align Minnesota with laws in several other states and cities.
• Strengthen the Working Family Tax Credit—more than doubling the tax credits that low income workers receive (bringing it to 75% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit) - Even with $15/hour in wages many workers would not be able to pay for basic needs, so the legislation would more-than-double Minnesota's Working Family Credit. This increase would provide about $2000 more to a single parent who earns roughly $20,000 per year.
• Fully fund the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and raise reimbursement rates - This will ensure all low-income working parents can get quality, reliable childcare, and eliminate the multi-year waiting lists. In addition, by raising reimbursement rates (to cover costs of childcare at the 75th percentile of local providers), parents will have more options and can choose high-quality care, childcare workers will earn a decent wage and providers can afford additional training in child development.
• Provide a $300/month increase in the MN Family Investment Program (MFIP) grants - When parents are unable to work, Minnesotans have recognized the importance of providing financial support to help them survive. We know that children whose families cannot afford housing and food are robbed of their potential—we can measure how it inhibits their physical, mental, and emotional development. Unfortunately, financial assistance payments in Minnesota have not increased since 1986. The proposed $300 per month increase would do much to stabilize the lives of these children.

Ending poverty in Minnesota is an achievable goal if we have the political will to do so. This legislation would be a strong commitment towards fulfilling the goal of moving Minnesota out of poverty and helping all families thrive. Find more information about this bill at: http://www.apple-pie.org/ttp/default.asp?articleid=135

Senator Marty provides insights on public policy:

• Tar Sands Pipeline: Litmus Test of Whether Minnesota is Serious about Climate Change
• Bid for Amazon HQ Should Reflect Minnesota’s Interests
• Moving Minnesota Out of Poverty
• The Time for Marriage Equality is Here
• Regulating Guns Like Cars: Perspective on the Gun Debate after Sandy Hook
• Health Reform Diagnosis: We're All in this Together
• In Defense of Good Government