Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Carma County Health Plans topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears CARMA proposal to expand county-run health-plan model in rural Minnesota
Summary
House File 2,955 would create a County-Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA) model building on county-based purchasing plans to integrate health, public health and social services in greater Minnesota. County officials and AMC testified in support; managed-care plans expressed concerns about competition and choice. The bill was laid over.
Representative Backer introduced House File 2,955 to authorize a County-Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA) model that builds on existing county-based purchasing (CBP) plans and seeks greater integration of health, social services and public-health functions in rural counties.
Brad Anderson, county commissioner and member of a joint powers health board, testified about 32 counties using county-run health plans and the advantages of local oversight and integration for rural populations. Matt Freeman of the Association of Minnesota Counties described CARMA as a collaborative product of DHS, counties and county-based purchasers.
Chelsea Olsen, representing the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, testified she remains concerned the bill would eliminate managed-care organization choice in counties adopting CARMA, potentially inviting litigation and reducing competitive bidding and consumer choice. DHS staff (PJ Weiner) told the committee DHS worked on the product for two years and supported the legislation’s intent.
Representative Backer closed by emphasizing county-based successes in multiple Greater Minnesota counties and asked the committee to lay the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.
