I participated in reNEW Minnesota’s well-attended forum on Health Equity last night in Minneapolis. Eight of the DFL gubernatorial candidates were there (Susan Gaertner and Tom Bakk couldn’t make it). Several of the candidates were well-prepared to speak on the issue of addressing racial disparities in health and health care — some much less so. Two candidates stood out for me, in terms of strong progressive leadership and a real vision for change regarding health equity and health care reform.
State Representative Paul Thissen articulated that we must change our philosophy in our state, from the "you’re on your own, go out and try to get what you need on your own" approach, to the recognition that we are in this together, all of us, no exceptions. He said that philosophy, that we are a community and all of us are affected, should apply to all policy approaches we take, and then spoke to what that meant in terms of health and health equity. He spoke of the importance for continuing a strong commitment to public health approaches. And he was clear — we need to separate health care from whether you can obtain health insurance and whether you have a job. It needs to be there for everyone.
State Senator John Marty said the key to health equity and better health for the people of the state was to attack poverty, improve nutrition, secure clean water and air, win a fair tax code for adequate revenue, and establish that child care is accessible to every family. Again, an overall approach, incorporating equity into all of the policy priorities dealing with these issues. And, equally important, was that everyone be covered, without exceptions, in a Minnesota Health Plan that takes its lead from successful health policy used in countries all over the globe. He said you shouldn’t make people "qualify", "apply", or prove their "eligibility". What if a person doesn’t do things like everyone else, and can’t or won’t apply/qualify, etc.? What if they speak a different language, or have the wrong immigration papers, or if they suffer from a mental illness? They need, and deserve, health care, like all of us. It is a right, and it is the best policy. He also spoke movingly that Gov. Pawlenty’s elimination of GAMC from the budget meant people are dying as a result. People’s lives are on the line.
Several TakeAction Minnesota members helped lead the meeting, with personal stories, strong vision, and good facilitation. I saw once again how we are really building a powerful organization and movement. We need to win victories to keep moving forward — and winning full restoration of the cuts to General Assistance Medical Coverage (GAMC) is a good goal to build momentum for major health care reform in the state, for all of us.
Mark Schultz, Minneapolis
Yesterday afternoon, over 750 people turned out for a different kind of political event – one that focused on values and a state-wide vision of governance rather than individual candidates or party politics-as-usual business meetings.