Task force members sought for health care reform project

The Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) are seeking individuals to serve on two task forces that will support the Minnesota Accountable Health Model (ACH) initiative. In February the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) awarded Minnesota a $45 million State Innovation Model (SIM) grant for its ACH model, which is designed to provide better care at a lower cost. This effort is a joint initiative of DHS and MDH.

The two task forces are the Community Advisory Task Force and the Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force. The application deadline for both groups is April 23. Individuals may learn about the application process at the Open Commissions & Appointments page on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s web site: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/.

“To succeed we need the best ideas and insights from a diverse range of people, from those who are experts in health care to those who are experts in their own communities,” Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. “This is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota to strengthen the relationships between state government, health care providers and local communities.”

The ACH model will help communities assess methods intended to improve the health of their citizens. During a three-and-a-half year period beginning April 1, 2013, Minnesota will develop and test new ways that government, communities, social services organizations, public health departments and health care providers of all types can work better together.

According to Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, the ACH initiative exemplifies why Minnesota leads the nation in health care reform: “The ACH model is an innovative approach that allows us to provide every Minnesotan with the opportunity to receive team-based, coordinated, patient-centered care while reducing costs across the health care system.”
By 2016 nearly 3 million Minnesotans are expected to receive care through this model, which is preliminarily projected to save $111 million from Medicaid, Medicare and private sources over three years