How Minnesota will deal with SCOTUS ruling on Obamacare

The conservative judicial activists in control of the US Supreme Court are expected to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) better known as Obamacare. They could throw it out in its entirety, throw out parts or do nothing.

Judging by how far off the scale to the right Scalia, Roberts and Thomas have driven the court, I'm bracing myself for the worst.

At least several health insurance companies have stated they plan to keep several Obamacare features if the SCOTUS ruling ends them.

Health care leaders of Minnesota got together and drafted an open letter to Minnesota about what to expect:

In a matter of days, there will be a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that will have significant ramifications for health care in the United States and Minnesota. The Supreme Court will issue its ruling on the Affordable Care Act, President Obama's health care reform law. While the decision will likely generate further national debate, it's important to acknowledge that the decision won't change some basic facts about health care in Minnesota.

The rest of their open letter below the fold:

Minnesota has been a pioneer in health care for more than a century and, regardless of the Court's decision, we will continue to be a national leader. We have taken a local, commonsense approach to improving the health of our communities, lowering cost through high quality care and providing affordable coverage in our state. No matter what the Court decides, Minnesotans already know how to collaborate to improve our health care system and move forward together, in the best interest of our state.

While Minnesota's health care system does better overall compared to the rest of the country, we all still struggle with unsustainable health care costs and lack of access to care. More than 14 percent of our state economy is consumed by health
care costs and even with this spending, nearly 490,000 Minnesotans are uninsured. The fear of unaffordable health care holds back entrepreneurs who want to set out on their own and keeps small businesses from new hiring or raising wages. If we don't take action to address these concerns, the problems will only grow as Minnesota's demographics change and our population ages.

Many principles of the Affordable Care Act have broad-based support throughout our state and should form the basis for continued health reform in Minnesota. These include:

All Minnesotans should have access to high quality and affordable health care.

Preventive care, like mammograms , should be a central part of our health care system and be available without financial barriers.

Smart investments in community health initiatives can improve public health and reduce health care costs.

These changes, and Minnesota's ongoing health reforms, are helping Minnesotans get the care they need today. We should work to find ways to
continue these solutions, while also developing new ideas within our state, regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Minnesota's future health care system must be built upon our strong tradition of health care innovation and our pioneering spirit. Even with differing perspectives on specific health care issues, we can all agree that Minnesota needs
to stay on the path of healthier communities, better health care value, and better access for all Minnesotans. After the Supreme Court rules, Minnesota's health care leaders will come together to discuss next steps and to listen to your ideas for how we should move forward.

As leaders in our state, we stand committed to continuing the path of health reform in Minnesota.

Signed:

Alzheimer's Association MN/ND
American Cancer Society-Midwest Division
American Diabetes Association-Minnesota Area
American Heart Association-Midwest Affiliate
Catholic Health Association-Minnesota
ClearWay Minnesota
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
Legal Services Advocacy Project
Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition
Minnesota Council of Churches
Minnesota Hospital Association
Minnesota Medical Association
Minnesota Public Health Association
National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota
TakeAction Minnesota

Commissioner Ed Ehlinger, MD, Minnesota Department of Health
Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Commissioner Mike Rothman, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Representative Lyndon R. Carlson
Senator Richard Cohen

Representative Jim Davnie
Senator Scott Dibble
Representative Alice Hausman
Senator Jeff Hayden
Senator Linda Higgins
Representative Larry Hosch
Representative Tom Huntley
Representative Diane Loeffler
Representative Tina Liebling
Senator Tony Lourey
Senator Mary Jo Maguire
Representative Erin Murphy
Representative Michael Nelson
Representative John Persell
Senator Patricia Torres Ray
Senator Kathy Sheran