Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota supports the health care reform efforts underway by the Obama administration and Congress.

For many years, Blue Cross has advocated public policy positions that expand coverage to all, effectively control costs and improve and reward the delivery of high quality health care services. We are fully supportive of many of the reform efforts that are being proposed and are optimistic that health care reform will become a reality in 2010. Blue Cross remains committed to working with all stakeholders to enact meaningful and comprehensive bipartisan reform this year.

As is inevitable in a comprehensive reform initiative, there will be differences in opinions among stakeholders about elements of the reform proposal and in the details of implementation. Blue Cross is working diligently to communicate its policy positions to Congress and the Administration and offer constructive comments and suggestions when appropriate.

We support marketplace reform – including health coverage for everyone

Blue Cross supports comprehensive reform of the insurance marketplace. We support reform that would require all Americans to have health coverage, provide necessary subsidies for low and moderate income individuals and families, and obligate insurers to accept any individual who applies for coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions. Blue Cross believes reforming the insurance marketplace should be a cornerstone of health care reform and believes that this successful reform will eliminate the role a public plan option would otherwise need to provide.

Minnesota is a leader

Minnesota has been a leader in health care for many years – and should be seen as a model for reform. Blue Cross believes reform must include the entire health care system and move it from a model that rewards activities and services to the system of the future that pays for and rewards the delivery of high quality care. For many years, Blue Cross has been a national leader in prevention. We believe that any reform effort must include a focus on reducing the risk of developing costly and deadly diseases. Blue Cross recognizes that in order for any reform initiative to be successful and sustainable, costs must be controlled.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is working for, not against, health care reform. We are working with key policy makers in Congress and the Administration to clearly articulate policy positions and offer constructive suggestions as how the reforms can be successfully implemented. We look forward to continuing this meaningful role as the health care reform discussions continue.