Health Care

The ability to afford health care shouldn't depend on someone's paycheck or address. Our state has a history of investing in health care, healthy communities, and the well-being of Minnesotans. That's paid off in strong rates of health care coverage. But there's more to do, including dismantling barriers to living healthy lives that many people of color and people in rural areas face.

Our health care work focuses on the effects of state and federal health care policies on Minnesotans' ability to live healthy lives and get the care they need to thrive.

Research

February 2019

How to read the Health Care Access Fund statement

The Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) was created to hold Minnesota’s health care provider tax revenues, in addition to several smaller revenue sources. This document provides readers a quick tour of the balance sheet that is updated in each state budget forecast.

December 2018

Healthy budget, healthy Minnesotans: Preserving essential health care funding

In 1992, Minnesota policymakers made an important long-term investment in Minnesotans’ health and well-being by creating the health care provider tax. The tax funds affordable health care and access to health professionals for people across the state. Unfortunately it is scheduled to expire next December. Our issue brief explains how the provider tax has improved the health of Minnesotans over the last 26 years, and why it’s so important that policymakers maintain it this coming legislative session.

July 2018

Federal funds to Minnesota are instrumental to building shared prosperity

Partnership with the federal government allows Minnesotans to have affordable health care, strong roads and transit, supports for jobs and training, and other priorities for thriving families and communities. Close to $25 billion, or 30 percent of the state’s budget, comes from the federal government.

May 2014

MinnesotaCare: A vital part of Minnesota's health care system

MinnesotaCare provides a path to affordable health insurance for lower-income, working Minnesotans who are not covered by their employers or are not able to find affordable coverage in the private market. This brief looks at changes made to MinnesotaCare in the 2013 Legislative Session, including those to adapt to opportunities under the Affordable Care Act.

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Health Care Blog Posts

February 01, 2023

Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities

In his proposal for the two-year FY 2024-25 budget cycle, Governor Tim Walz proposes $11.2 billion in additional funding for public services, with the largest amount of new dollars going toward education, economic development, and health and human services. He also proposes $5.4 billion in tax reductions in FY 2024-25, with the biggest component being a one-time tax rebate. Read more in our blog.

October 25, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act advances economic relief, tax equity, and climate response

The federal Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions so that seniors, workers, and families can meet their health care and basic needs, takes important steps to address the climate crisis, and raises revenues from those with the greatest resources to invest in critical public services.

July 26, 2022

Open position: policy analyst will shape policies that advance economic and racial justice

For strongest consideration, apply by August 19; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

June 07, 2022

Mental health bill takes important steps forward in addressing state’s crisis

Minnesota legislators took important steps toward shoring up our state’s mental health system by allocating $93 million over three years aimed at increasing the number of providers, supporting mental health crisis services, and reducing racial disparities in mental health services.

More Health Care Blogs

Our Health Care Policy Work

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Preserving critical health care funding

Keeping Minnesota’s health care provider tax in place is a key to a healthy Minnesota. The Minnesota Budget Project worked hard alongside others to preserve this critical source of funding by repealing the scheduled sunset of the provider tax during the 2019 Legislative Session. The health care provider tax was permanently extended as part of the budget agreement reached by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature. However, the provider tax rate was reduced from 2 percent to 1.8 percent.

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Health Care

Research

How to read the Health Care Access Fund statement

Healthy budget, healthy Minnesotans: Preserving essential health care funding

Federal funds to Minnesota are instrumental to building shared prosperity

MinnesotaCare: A vital part of Minnesota's health care system

Health Care Blog Posts

Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities

Inflation Reduction Act advances economic relief, tax equity, and climate response

Open position: policy analyst will shape policies that advance economic and racial justice

Mental health bill takes important steps forward in addressing state’s crisis

Our Health Care Policy Work

Preserving critical health care funding

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