ST. PAUL –
Hospitals and health systems have made, and will continue to make, significant
progress to keep health care accessible and affordable to all Minnesotans. The
premium increases announced today represent rates for a small segment of the
population – individuals enrolled in commercial insurance through MNsure – and
do not reflect the overall trends in health care costs.
Minnesota’s
nonprofit hospitals and health systems are constantly working to provide even
greater value for our patients and the communities we serve by reducing costs,
avoiding preventable conditions, decreasing the number of inpatient admissions,
and better coordinating care. Both state and federal reports show that
hospitals and health care systems have successfully been reigning in the cost
of health care for several years. In fact, in many cases, hospitals and health
care systems have lowered the cost of care.
Minnesota’s
hospitals and health systems will continue efforts to improve quality and lower
costs, and hope that future premium rates will reflect the slower growth in
health care spending that has been occurring for several years.
The
Minnesota Hospital Association represents 143 hospitals and health systems,
which provide quality care for their patients and meet the needs of their
communities.
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