Some recent television attack ads financed by a right-leaning political action committee are giving me credit for setting up MNsure. While I have been active in the community, no one asked my opinion or input on that state initiative. You will not be surprised that the ads do not reflect my thinking. While I value access to affordable health insurance and quality healthcare, reform is needed in the MNsure system and here are my ideas:

• The computer system to explore coverage, renew a policy and secure tax documents to claim a tax credit (designed to reduce the cost for the insured) has subjected Minnesotans to delays.

• While I deplore high insurance rate increases, the “up to 67 perecent increases referred to in the ad were experienced by only 5 percent of Minnesotans. Again, not acceptable, but not the experience of most. We need to remember that Minnesota has experienced historically low levels of our residents that are uninsured.

• We need to examine rising prescription drug costs. Consumers should be informed about the cost to produce their drugs so we can fight against a repeat of the “Epipen” price gouging. Drug prescribers should receive their education about medications from medical professionals not the drug companies. Consumers should have ready access to online information to find affordable options for securing their prescriptions.

• Patients should not be subjected to surprise billing. This will require consumer and insurance user education that should be mandatory at the time that they are securing care.

• Medical waste needs to be reduced to reduce cost to patients. Medical waste is defined as unnecessary tests and procedures and health care facility inefficiencies.

Gary Schindler

Albert Lea