Directions & Strategies

The CWC has adopted the following major strategies with examples of some forthcoming commentary:

Provide the public with “unvarnished truths” about the problems in health care and the entrenched interests that are in control. The public must demand more change and timely change. This includes not only health coverage and costs; but also the dismal state of quality in health care.

• The Minnesota Department of Health reported on “Adverse hospital events” last month (e.g. events that should “never” happen such as wrong site surgery; wrong patient, etc. ). The CWC will be requesting more usable consumer friendly information.

Assure Consumer representation and support on any health care planning boards, panels, committees and task forces. The track record of good worker and consumer representation has not been good in the Minnesota region and this needs to change.

• Members of the CWC walked away from the State's Smart Buy Alliance due to the lack of action that would assist consumers, workers and the public on health care.
• The Minnesota Health Care Transformation Task Force issued a report to the Governor and legislature in February. The number of Consumer interests represented was minimal. The CWC expects to provide some further consumer/public comments and support of recommendations that relate to meaningful change for the consumer.

Promote accessible, understandable and actionable data/information to assist consumers to make better informed medical and health care decisions. Transparency of information must be expanded for the public.

• Members of the CWC promoted reporting on Hospital Acquired Infections in Minnesota last year; the legislature initiated some reporting requirements; the Minnesota Hospital Association has responsibility to collect and report data to the public. The CWC expects to provide consumer/public comments on the nature and timeliness of reporting.

Shift the focus from “wallet to ballot” for public influence. Consumer and public influence is not working in the “Marketplace” even though Minnesota has been promoting such change for over 25 years.

• The government must help to reform health care beyond their current role and all government leaders must be supported and held accountable for changes in health care. This does not mean government has to do everything, but at least establish and enforce some public accountable ground rules ( such as exists in aviation (FAA) and even the market-based stock market (SEC) )
• The Minnesota Legislature will review recommendations from their own committees and other groups in the 2009 session. The CWC and its members expect to respond to recommendations from a consumer, public and worker advocacy position.