The Debate Over Health Care Reform
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (CSPG) convenes lawmakers and policy experts to wrestle with pressing issues in health care reform and our medical care system. In addition, Center Director Professor Lawrence Jacobs conducts research on public opinion and the drivers of health reform.
Research
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was passed in 2010. Its goal to expand coverage to low-income Americans depends on states deciding to expand their Medicaid programs in exchange for generous federal government funding. The states remain split over whether to adopt Medicaid expansion: To date, 37 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid and 13 states have not. This series of papers explains why some states have been reluctant to do so.
- Why States Expand Medicaid: Party, Resources, and History
- Process Learning and the Implementation of Medicaid Reform
- The Interest Group Battle Over Health Reform
Americans overall disliked the ACA at the outset, but attitudes changed over time—including among those who were so hostile in 2010 that they favored repeal of the ACA.
Health Care Reform Series
For generations, Minnesota has championed public-private solutions to challenges that affect our state’s health care system. This approach, praised nationally as the “Minnesota Model,” merges private sector innovation and public policy to make health care as efficient and effective as possible for the greatest number of people.
In the spirit of this strong tradition of collaboration, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Humphrey School's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance co-sponsored a series of public forums on how best to implement health care reform at the state level. By fostering discussions among local policy makers, stakeholders, and citizens, these conversations explored opportunities for ensuring Minnesota’s legacy as a leader in health and health care.
Events in the series
- Listen to audio: Health Reform: Preserving a Strong Role for the States – 2/16/12
- Watch video: Minnesota Health Care Reform Town Hall – 3/8/12, Part 1
- Watch video: Minnesota Health Care Reform Town Hall – 3/8/12, Part 2
- Watch video: Navigating the Affordable Care Act: Opportunities and Challenges – 4/5/12
- Watch video: Health for All – 6/19/12
- Listen to audio: The Supreme Court and Health Reform – 7/9/12
- Listen to audio: Putting Health First: A New Approach – 9/5/12
- Listen to audio: Minnesota's Unfinished Agenda: Moving Health Reform Forward in An Uncertain Environment – 10/9/12, Part 1
- Listen to audio: Minnesota's Unfinished Agenda: Moving Health Reform Forward in An Uncertain Environment – 10/9/12, Part 2
- Listen to audio: Big Choices: Minnesota Health Reform – 3/13/13
- Watch video: Looking Ahead: What May Surprise Minnesotans After Health Reform – 4/29/13
- Listen to audio: How Will Medical Care Change After Health Reform? Patient Care and Payment Reform – 5/31/13
- Listen to audio: Health Reform: Premium Shock or Benefit Redesign? – 9/4/13
- Listen to audio: Health Reform Check-Up: Learning from the Medicare Prescription Drug Program – 12/3/13, Part 1
- Listen to audio: Health Reform Check-Up: Learning from the Medicare Prescription Drug Program – 12/3/13, Part 2
- Listen to audio: Finding Common Ground on Health Reform: Regaining Minnesota's Collaborative Tradition – 4/7/14
- Listen to audio: Health Care Reform in 2015 – 5/14/14
- Watch video: The Future of Medicaid Expansion – 8/5/14
- Listen to audio: The Path Forward: Medical Providers, Payers, and Patients – 10/21/14
- Listen to audio: MNsure 2.0: Consumer Satisfaction, Private Insurance Enrollment, and Financial Balance in 2015 – 11/14/14
- Listen to audio: MNsure v. Auditor – 4/24/15
- Listen to audio: New Directions in Health Reform – 5/8/15